Skilled migration to Germany is becoming an appealing choice for Vietnamese people thanks to Germany’s labor market opening policies since 2024. The path of skilled migration to Germany suits both degree holders and people with real trade skills who want to work and live long-term in Europe.
Unlike the US, Germany prioritizes recognizing trade skills and real-world experience. This article summarizes the main pathways and core conditions to help you shape a suitable route.
Common pathways for skilled migration to Germany
According to the official portal Make it in Germany of the German Government, foreign workers have many options for entry and work.
- Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) — a job-seeker visa based on a points system, for people who want to go to Germany to look for a job before having a contract.
- EU Blue Card — for people with a university degree and a high-salary contract.
- Skilled Worker Visa (§18a, §18b) — for people who already hold a recognized vocational or university degree and have a job offer.
- Ausbildung — a dual vocational training program, combining study and paid work.
General conditions for skilled migration to Germany
Whichever path you choose, you generally need to meet three basic groups of conditions: professional qualifications, German language ability, and degree recognition.
Degree recognition (anabin) is a crucial step for a Vietnamese vocational or university degree to be accepted in Germany. The minimum German level is usually between A2 and B1, depending on the program and occupation.
The path from working to permanent residence
After legally working in Germany, you can progress to a long-term residence permit and then permanent residence, subject to conditions on residence duration, insurance contributions, and German proficiency. Holders of the EU Blue Card typically reach permanent residence faster thanks to preferential policies.
Specific requirements for skilled migration to Germany
To migrate to Germany under the skilled worker route, the three core factors you need to prepare are a recognized degree, matching experience, and an employment contract meeting the salary threshold. This is the foundation of most pathways.
According to the portal Make it in Germany of the German Government, some pathways require a job guaranteeing a minimum gross salary of about EUR 45,934.20/year for 2026; if a collective bargaining agreement applies, the agreed rate is accepted.
New legislation has expanded the definition of skilled labor to include vocational training graduates, not just university degree holders. This is an important change that qualifies more Vietnamese applicants than before.
Quick comparison of Germany’s migration pathways
Each pathway for skilled migration to Germany suits a different group. Choosing correctly helps you prepare in the right direction from the start.
Those who already have a degree and a matching contract fit the traditional skilled worker route or the EU Blue Card if the salary is high. Those with expertise but no job yet may consider the points-based Chancenkarte job-seeker card. Young people who want to combine study and work can choose the Ausbildung training route.
So there is no single best pathway for everyone, only the one best suited to your profile. Honestly assessing your degree, experience, and language ability is the first step to take.
Where you should start
The first step is assessing your degree, experience, and current German proficiency to choose the right pathway. You can learn more through the article Chancenkarte là gì and EU Blue Card Germany, or contact M2W for advice on a pathway suited to your profile.
Information compiled from the Make it in Germany portal of the German Government. German immigration policy may change — please check the official sources.
Read more: Overview of migrating to Germany · What is a Sperrkonto? Blocked account for Germany, what you need to know 2026
