Visa Berlin

Germany Clarifies Employment Rules for Temporary Residents

27 August 2026 Matthias Kurth

What this means for you

For individuals relocating to Germany with temporary residence, understanding these rules is crucial as it dictates when and under what conditions they can legally work, with various waivers and exclusions applying.

Now Employment in Germany for individuals with temporary residence status requires Federal Employment Agency approval, subject to conditions like a priority check and minimum residence, though the priority check is waived after 15 months and approval is unnecessary for vocational training or after four years of residence. Specific exclusions apply, including for asylum seekers from safe countries whose applications were rejected after August 31, 2015.

Germany has updated its regulations concerning employment for individuals holding temporary residence status. Under the revised rules, employment generally requires approval from the Federal Employment Agency (FEA).

This approval is subject to conditions, including a priority check and a minimum residence period. However, the priority check requirement is waived after 15 months of residence. Furthermore, FEA approval is not necessary for those undertaking vocational training or after an individual has resided in Germany for four years.

Specific exclusions also apply, notably for asylum seekers from safe countries whose applications were rejected after August 31, 2015.

Source www.bmi.bund.de ↗