Why this guide matters
Germany needs skilled people. Many firms will sponsor a work visa for the right hire. Six figure roles exist in tech, engineering, finance, and health. This guide shows you how to search, what to prepare, where to apply, and how to move fast without risky claims. Everything here uses simple steps, real tools, and safe links.
Who this is for: software and data folks, cloud and cyber pros, engineers, project managers, health workers, finance talent, and anyone with strong skills who wants to work in Germany with a fair salary and legal stay.
Quick snapshot
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Target pay: $100,000 or more, often paid in euro.
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Hot cities: Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Leipzig, Nuremberg.
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Common paths: EU Blue Card, Skilled Worker visa, intra company transfer.
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Core action: land a job offer first, then your employer starts the process.
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Timing: many roles hire all year, but tech and finance peak in Q1 and Q3.
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Fast track ideas: apply to firms that write “visa sponsorship” in the ad, use short CV, book early embassy dates, and keep a clean document set.
Best cities and roles for $100,000 offers
Berlin
Mix of startups and big brands. Strong for software engineers, product managers, data scientists, AI, security, DevOps, and English first roles.
Munich
Home to global firms in automotive, chips, aerospace, and cloud. Good for embedded systems, chip design, machine learning, robotics, and senior product.
Frankfurt
Finance hub. Investment banking, risk, compliance, quant, cloud for banking, and payments. Also good for tax and audit at scale.
Hamburg
Logistics, aviation, renewable energy, maritime tech, and backend roles.
Stuttgart
Automotive software, robotics, mechatronics, and project management in manufacturing.
Cologne and Düsseldorf
Media, telco, DevOps, data, and mid market SaaS.
Leipzig and Nuremberg
Cost friendly cities with growing tech and embedded teams.
Visa paths employers use
EU Blue Card
For degree holders in high skill roles with pay above a set threshold. It allows family reunification and job changes under rules that you can check on official sites. Use this when your offer and field fit the rules.
Skilled Worker Visa
For recognized vocational or academic skills. Works when your degree or training is recognized and the job matches your skill set.
Job Seeker Visa
Lets you come to Germany to look for work for a set time. Use only if you can support yourself and want to interview in person.
Official info:
www.make-it-in-germany.com
www.auswaertiges-amt.de
These sites show current rules, the latest salary thresholds, and booking routes. Always check them before you apply.
Eligibility checklist for sponsored roles
Use this list to self check before you hit apply.
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Education
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University degree for Blue Card, or recognized vocational training for Skilled Worker routes.
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Verify your degree status in Anabin, or request evaluation with ZAB.
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www.kmk.org for ZAB info
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Job match
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Role must match your degree or training, for example software engineer role with CS or related degree, or mechatronics role with related training.
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Salary level
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Aim for six figures for senior roles in tech, finance, and some engineering.
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For Blue Card, the minimum salary changes. Do not guess. Check current figures on www.make-it-in-germany.com.
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Language
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Many firms hire with English. B1 to B2 German helps with HR, clients, and paperwork. Add an intensive course if needed.
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Experience and proof
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2 to 8 years for mid level roles, 8 plus for senior.
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Show results, shipped projects, uptime, cost savings, or growth. Keep it short and clear.
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Clean documents
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Passport, degree scan, transcripts, reference letters, updated CV in German format, cover letter, portfolio or GitHub, certificates, police check if asked, and health insurance plan for visa processing.
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Salary ranges by role and city
These are common six figure tracks in euro gross per year. Use a salary calculator to see net pay. Try www.brutto-netto-rechner.info or similar tools you trust.
Tech and data
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Senior software engineer, backend, platform, cloud, DevOps, solutions architect
Range: €85,000 to €130,000, higher in Munich and Frankfurt -
Data scientist, machine learning engineer, AI engineer
Range: €85,000 to €125,000 -
Cybersecurity analyst, security engineer
Range: €80,000 to €120,000 -
SAP consultant, Salesforce developer
Range: €85,000 to €120,000 -
Embedded systems engineer, automotive software
Range: €80,000 to €120,000
Engineering and energy
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Electrical, mechanical, industrial, process, civil, chemical
Range: €75,000 to €115,000 -
Robotics and mechatronics
Range: €85,000 to €120,000 -
Renewable energy, wind, solar, grid
Range: €80,000 to €115,000 -
Aerospace and semiconductor design
Range: €90,000 to €130,000
Finance and business
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Finance manager, FP and A, risk, audit, tax consultant
Range: €80,000 to €120,000 -
Investment banking and corporate banking
Range: €100,000 to €160,000 plus bonus -
Product manager and project manager
Range: €85,000 to €125,000 -
Supply chain and logistics manager
Range: €80,000 to €115,000
Health and life sciences
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Doctor roles with recognized license
Range: €90,000 to €140,000 -
Dentist with recognized license
Range: €80,000 to €120,000 -
Registered nurse and radiographer with language and recognition
Range: €45,000 to €70,000 with steps to higher bands over time -
Clinical research and biostatistics
Range: €70,000 to €110,000
Use a net calculator before you sign. Try a “100k gross to net Germany” search and compare. Many tools show tax class, health insurance type, and city based church tax settings.
Roles that often sponsor, and how to pitch
Each mini guide gives the value, a quick pitch, and search tips. Use a short CV, a clear cover letter, and strong proof of impact.
Senior software engineer
Value: scale systems, cut costs, and speed delivery.
Pitch: show uptime wins, throughput gains, or cloud cost cuts.
Search tips: use terms like “software engineer Germany visa sponsorship,” “backend developer Berlin,” “apply now,” and “immediate start.” Add Java, Python, Go, C plus plus, or cloud keywords as needed.
DevOps and cloud engineer
Value: stable releases, lower cloud bills, secure infra.
Pitch: “cut AWS spend by 28 percent,” “reduced deploy time from hours to minutes.”
Search tips: “DevOps engineer Munich visa sponsorship,” “cloud engineer AWS Germany,” “urgent hiring.”
Solutions architect
Value: wins deals and designs safe systems.
Pitch: “closed €3 million in deals,” “moved a bank to a secure cloud stack.”
Search tips: “solutions architect Germany visa sponsorship,” “Blue Card eligible.”
Data scientist and ML engineer
Value: drives product, risk, and growth.
Pitch: “raised LTV by 12 percent,” “cut fraud loss by 19 percent.”
Search tips: “data scientist Germany visa sponsorship 100k,” “machine learning Berlin apply now.”
Cybersecurity analyst
Value: reduces risk and downtime.
Pitch: “stopped phishing waves,” “closed high risk CVEs.”
Search tips: “cyber security jobs Germany with visa sponsorship,” “security engineer Frankfurt.”
SAP consultant and Salesforce developer
Value: keeps ERP and CRM running, adds revenue.
Pitch: “cut order cycle time,” “grew pipeline conversion.”
Search tips: “SAP consultant Germany visa sponsorship,” “Salesforce developer Cologne.”
Embedded and automotive software
Value: links hardware with safe code.
Pitch: “reduced CAN bus errors,” “improved ADAS latency.”
Search tips: “embedded engineer Stuttgart sponsorship,” “automotive software Munich 100k.”
Robotics and mechatronics
Value: automation, quality, and yield.
Pitch: “raised throughput by 22 percent,” “cut defects.”
Search tips: “mechatronics engineer Germany sponsorship,” “robotics Berlin urgent.”
Electrical and mechanical engineer
Value: design and run complex systems.
Pitch: “saved energy costs,” “improved OEE.”
Search tips: “electrical engineer Germany visa sponsorship 100k,” “mechanical engineer Munich.”
Civil, process, chemical, industrial
Value: project delivery and safety.
Pitch: “delivered projects on time,” “reduced waste.”
Search tips: “process engineer Germany sponsorship,” “industrial engineer Hamburg.”
Renewable energy, wind, solar
Value: clean power growth.
Pitch: “improved yield,” “cut downtime.”
Search tips: “wind energy jobs Germany visa sponsorship,” “solar engineer Berlin.”
Aerospace and semiconductor
Value: high stakes systems and chips.
Pitch: “optimized RTL,” “improved reliability.”
Search tips: “aerospace engineer Germany sponsorship,” “chip design engineer Munich.”
Health roles
Value: patient care and clinical quality.
Pitch: show language level and license steps.
Search tips: “nurse jobs in Germany with visa sponsorship,” “doctor jobs Germany visa sponsorship English.”
Finance and banking
Value: risk control and growth.
Pitch: “cut VaR,” “improved margin,” “audit with zero issues.”
Search tips: “investment banking Germany visa sponsorship,” “finance manager Frankfurt 100k.”
Product and project management
Value: ship on time, make customers happy.
Pitch: “launched three products,” “cut churn.”
Search tips: “product manager Germany visa sponsorship,” “project manager PMP Germany apply now.”
Supply chain and logistics
Value: moves goods faster at lower cost.
Pitch: “reduced lead time,” “raised on time delivery.”
Search tips: “supply chain manager Germany sponsorship,” “logistics manager Hamburg.”
Game and mobile developers
Value: user growth and store income.
Pitch: “grew DAU,” “raised ARPU.”
Search tips: “game developer Unity Germany sponsorship,” “mobile developer Berlin.”
Where to find real roles and how to search
Use large boards and German portals. Add the terms “visa sponsorship,” “English,” and your stack. Save alerts for “closing soon” roles.
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Official portals
www.make-it-in-germany.com
www.arbeitsagentur.de -
Job boards and networks
www.linkedin.com
www.stepstone.de
www.indeed.de
www.xing.com -
Company career pages
Search target firms in your field, for example cloud vendors, auto tech, banks, and large integrators. Look for “relocation package,” “work permit support,” and “Blue Card” notes.
Pro tip: filter by city and salary band if the site allows it. Add the words “immediate start,” “apply now,” and “visa sponsorship” to narrow ads that are ready to hire.
Step by step plan to get a sponsored offer
Follow these steps in order. Keep every step tight and simple.
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Pick your target role and city
Choose two roles and two cities. For example backend engineer in Berlin and Munich. -
Check your degree status
Look up your university on Anabin. If missing, plan a ZAB evaluation.
www.anabin.kmk.org -
Update your CV in German format
One to two pages, clean headings, skills up top, projects with one line wins. Add GitHub or portfolio links. -
Write a short cover letter
Three short paragraphs. Why you, why this role, and your impact in numbers. -
Prepare proof
Reference letters, certificates, language certificate if you have B1 or B2, and a list of links to shipped work. -
Search with smart terms
Use role, city, and “visa sponsorship.” Add “English” and your tech stack. Save alerts. -
Apply daily
Ten to fifteen quality applications per day beats one wide blast. Track each one in a sheet. -
Respond fast
Same day replies raise your chance. Keep your phone on and email alerts live. -
Interview well
Practice system design, coding, or case questions. Share a short story with a clear result and a number. -
Negotiate the salary and benefits
Ask for a fair base, sign on bonus, relocation package, and a clear statement on permit support. Ask for a letter that states the firm will help with your Blue Card or Skilled Worker process. -
Pick health insurance for the visa
You will need health insurance for the visa and after you land. Compare public and private options based on your income and family plan. -
Book your appointment early
Embassy and local office calendars fill up fast. Book as soon as your documents are ready. Look for earlier slots if they open. -
Plan housing and arrival
Short stay first, then a long stay apartment. Use trusted sites only. Bring cash and cards, plus copies of all papers.
Timelines, deadlines, and how to move fast
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Jobs: most ads have a soft closing date. Roles that say “closing soon” or “immediate start” get priority. Apply within 48 hours of posting if you can.
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Blue Card and Skilled Worker processing: times vary by city. Check the official sites before you book travel.
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Language exams and degree recognition: book early, they can take weeks.
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Relocation windows: large firms hire in waves in Q1 and Q3. Start early and ride the wave.
If an ad lists a closing month, send your application the same week. Use a short message that shows match and interest. Keep it clear and polite.
The EU Blue Card and Skilled Worker routes, explained in plain words
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EU Blue Card: for high skill roles with a salary above a set bar. The number changes. Always check the current figure on www.make-it-in-germany.com.
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Skilled Worker: for recognized skills and a matching job. You need proof of recognition and a contract.
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Family and job changes: both paths have rules for family and changing jobs. Read the official pages for details.
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Processing tips: complete files get faster replies, so double check your documents and keep scans ready.
Add real value to lift your offer and your eCPM
High value topics help readers and attract better ads. Add these to your plan and to your article sections.
Immigration lawyers and legal help
Use legal help for tough cases, complex degree recognition, or family joins. Compare fees and get a clear scope before you pay. Search for “immigration lawyer Germany Blue Card consultation” and read reviews.
Health insurance choices
Germany has public and private plans. Your choice affects net pay. Compare plans and ask the HR team what the firm supports. Private plans can be fast for visa proof, public plans are common after you start.
International movers and relocation agencies
Get three quotes from movers with reviews. Ask about customs, timing, and storage. Some firms add a relocation package, ask for it.
Tax and payroll support
A tax advisor can set your tax class and help with returns. Ask HR how payroll works in month one. Learn about pension and social costs.
Housing and schools
Book a serviced or furnished apartment for the first month. Search by city and near your office. For families, compare school options and fees. Look at wait lists early.
Banking and money
Open a bank account and a multi currency account if needed. Compare rates for money transfer to your home country.
Sample one page CV for Germany
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Header: name, city preference, email, phone, LinkedIn, GitHub or site
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Summary: one to two lines with years, stack, and one big win
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Key skills: five to eight items
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Experience: three roles, three bullets each, with numbers
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Education: degree, school, year
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Languages and extras: English, German level, and key certs
Keep design simple. Save as PDF. Use the same name as your LinkedIn profile.
Cover letter, short and strong
Para 1: the role and why now.
Para 2: two wins with numbers.
Para 3: visa line, start date, and thank you.
Example lines you can adapt.
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“I deliver stable systems and cut cloud cost by 25 percent.”
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“I can start in six weeks and need work permit support. I have a degree that matches the role and I am ready for the Blue Card path.”
How to ask about sponsorship the right way
Be direct and polite. Add one line at the end of your message or call.
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“I am ready to relocate and I will need visa sponsorship. I have a degree and salary level that fit the Blue Card route. Can we include this in the offer letter”
This keeps you safe and clear. Firms that sponsor will say so.
Net salary, cost of living, and smart money moves
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Use a gross to net calculator before you accept a pay figure.
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Compare rent by district, look for transit links, and budget for deposits.
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Plan for furniture or pick a furnished place for month one.
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Check child benefit rules if you have kids.
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Use low fee transfer tools for first month expenses.
Common tools and info sources you can check:
www.brutto-netto-rechner.info
www.make-it-in-germany.com
City guides for quick starts
Berlin
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Good for: product, data, backend, DevOps, cyber, and English first teams
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Housing: move fast, bring documents, try furnished first
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Tip: join meetups and ship a small side project to share in interviews
Munich
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Good for: embedded, chips, auto software, ML, and aerospace
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Housing: start early and be ready with all papers
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Tip: highlight safety and reliability work, it fits local needs
Frankfurt
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Good for: finance, payments, banking cloud, risk, audit, and tax
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Tip: focus on controls, uptime, and compliance
Hamburg
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Good for: logistics, maritime, renewable energy, aviation
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Tip: show experience with supply chains and data flow
Common mistakes that slow down or block sponsorship
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No degree match
Role and degree do not align on paper. Fix with a clear job match line. -
Long CV with no numbers
Cut fluff. Add results with numbers. -
No proof of recognition
Do the Anabin or ZAB step early. -
Late responses
Replies after days lower your chance. Same day is best. -
Unclear visa ask
Say you need sponsorship in a polite line. Do not hide it. -
Wrong salary ask
Do a net pay check first. Ask for a fair range tied to the value you add.
Step by step visa document pack
Keep a folder with these items.
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Passport and copies
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Signed job contract
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Degree and transcript scans
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Proof of recognition or Anabin printout
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CV and cover letter
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Reference letters
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Health insurance proof for the visa
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Address plan for landing
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Appointment printouts
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Photos in the right format
Scan to PDF as well. Keep file names clear.
How to move fast on appointments
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Book as soon as you sign the offer.
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Check nearby locations if the site allows it.
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Watch for early morning release of new slots.
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Keep your phone ready for calls.
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Bring all papers to avoid repeat visits.
English first roles and “no German required” searches
Many firms work in English. You still get more interviews with some German. Use these search ideas in a normal sentence inside your job hunt notes.
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“English speaking jobs in Germany with visa sponsorship”
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“No German required jobs Germany visa sponsorship”
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“Berlin visa sponsorship jobs 100k”
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“Munich visa sponsorship jobs 100k”
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“Frankfurt finance jobs visa sponsorship 100k”
Relocation package, what to ask for
Ask the recruiter or HR about:
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One way flight for you and family
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First month furnished housing or a stipend
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Visa and permit costs covered
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Movers or a moving stipend
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Local registration help and tax advisor intro
Put the items in your offer letter if they agree.
Health insurance, the simple view
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Public insurance: common for employees, income based.
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Private insurance: can be faster for visa proof at first, but read the terms.
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Travel insurance: may be needed for the visa stage, only for the short period before your job starts.
Ask HR which plan they use. Compare plans before you decide.
Banking and daily life setup
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Book a bank account after you land or use a provider that lets you start early.
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Get a local prepaid SIM on day one for calls and codes.
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Register your address in the city office and keep the paper copy safe.
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Learn how waste sorting works in your building.
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Use public transit apps and get a monthly ticket if you commute.
Housing, short stay to long stay
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Short stay: serviced apartment or a furnished place for one month.
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Long stay: apply with passport copy, job contract, payslips if you have them, and a short intro.
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Tip: keep a PDF pack ready and send it fast when you see a good place.
Search ideas to keep in your notes:
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“furnished apartments Berlin for expats monthly”
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“serviced apartment Munich monthly”
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“corporate housing near Frankfurt airport”
Family, schools, and benefits
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Plan school or daycare early. Some places have wait lists.
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Ask HR about family support if they offer it.
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Read about child benefit and how to apply.
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Join local parent groups to learn the area and tips.
Fast action checklist
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Pick two roles and two cities today
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Check degree in Anabin and plan ZAB if needed
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Write your short CV and cover letter
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Save alerts on two job boards and two company pages
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Ask for a clear visa support line in the offer
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Book your appointment and prepare your pack
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Plan health insurance and first month housing
Safe links to start with
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Official migration info and job portal
www.make-it-in-germany.com -
German Federal Foreign Office, visa pages
www.auswaertiges-amt.de -
German Federal Employment Agency
www.arbeitsagentur.de -
Major job boards
www.stepstone.de
www.indeed.de
www.linkedin.com
www.xing.com -
Net pay tools
www.brutto-netto-rechner.info
Use only trusted sites when you share personal data or pay any fees.
FAQ
Can I get a $100,000 offer in Germany as a non EU worker
Yes, if your skills and role match market needs. Senior tech, AI, cloud, security, chip design, finance, and some engineering roles often hit that range in major cities.
Do I need German to get hired
Many teams hire with English. German helps with life and can unlock more roles. Aim for B1 to B2 over time.
How do I know if a firm will sponsor
The ad may say “visa sponsorship,” “Blue Card,” or “relocation package.” If not, ask in one polite line.
Is the EU Blue Card the only way
No. The Skilled Worker route is common too. Pick the one that fits your degree or training and salary. Check official rules for the latest numbers.
What files should I prepare before I apply
CV, cover letter, degree and transcripts, reference letters, portfolio or GitHub, and proof of recognition if needed.
Can I move first and then find a job
The Job Seeker visa allows that for a set time if you can support yourself. Many people prefer to secure a job first.
How long does the process take
It varies by city and office. Book early and keep your file complete to avoid delays.
What about health insurance
You need it for the visa and during work. Compare public and private options. Your HR team can guide you.
How do I compare net pay
Use a gross to net calculator, set the right tax class, and include health insurance. Check rent and other costs before you sign.
What if my degree is not in Anabin
Ask ZAB for an evaluation. Start early, it takes time.
Can mid level talent get sponsorship
Yes, if the skill is in demand and the firm is ready to help. Your track record matters.
What is the best time to apply
All year is fine. Q1 and Q3 are busy seasons for many teams.
Conclusion
Germany has real six figure jobs that sponsor work permits for the right hires. You can win one with a tight plan, a clean CV, a short cover letter, and smart searches that focus on “visa sponsorship,” “English,” and your stack. Use official links for rules and bookings. Move fast on new ads, reply the same day, and keep your documents ready. Ask for a fair base, a clear relocation package, and written support for your permit. This keeps you safe, helps you land the role you want, and sets you up for a smooth move.