The European country, known for its affordable cost of living, has introduced a new way for qualified foreign nationals to move there.

As part of its plan to encourage more skilled workers to move to their country, Germany has introduced a new work permit scheme, allowing non-EU citizens to come for a year to search for a job.

The Opportunity Card – or Chancenkarte – was first suggested in 2022 in an attempt to bolster Germany’s scarce supply of young, skilled workers. The country requires around 400,000 new skilled employees a year to cover the shortage, which is most prevalent in the healthcare, IT and engineering sectors. The scheme was launched last Saturday.

The Card acts like a temporary one-year visa or work permit, during which time cardholders are allowed to take on part-time jobs amounting to a maximum of 20 hours a week or undertake trial work experiences lasting two weeks.

It aims to make it easier for skilled workers to find suitable employment and also for companies who are desperately in need of employees. If a cardholder wishes to transition to a full-time job, they can apply for longer-term residency – a process made easier because the applicant already has a job offer.

To be eligible, you must have completed at least two years of vocational training or hold a university degree from your country of origin that is relevant to your desired role. Applicants must also be competent in German or English and must prove they have the funds or salary from a part-time employment contract to cover their stay in Germany – just over £10,200.

Candidates are then ranked using a points system with a minimum requirement of six points. There are four points available for holding a professional qualification recognised in Germany or having permission to practice a regulated profession like teacher, nurse, or engineer.

Three points are awarded to applicants with five years of professional experience in their field completed within the last seven years or German language skills at B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Two years of professional experience with previous vocational training within the last five years, being under the age of 35 at the time of application and holding a B1 certificate for German each earns two points.

One point is awarded for: being under 40 at the time of application; having stayed previously in Germany for at least six months (excluding for tourism purposes); C1 English and A2 German language skills; being trained in an occupation where there is a shortage of workers in Germany; and applying together with a spouse.

In February, the German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that the country’s biggest risk to growth is its shortage of workers. “We lack hands and minds,” Habeck said during the presentation of the government’s 2024 economic report, adding that unfilled vacancies were set to rise due to an ageing population. Official estimates suggest Germany’s ageing society will be short seven million skilled workers by 2035.

British citizens may apply to the local immigration office for their residence permits after arrival in Germany and without having obtained a visa prior to travelling. The visa-free privilege is also extended to citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Korea (Republic) and the United States of America, but all other nationalities require a Chancenkarte prior to arrival.