German Government Launches Website to Support Non-EU Job Seekers
German Government Launches “Work and Stay” Platform to Attract Non-EU Skilled Workers
The German government has approved the launch of a new platform called “Work and Stay,” designed to make it easier for non-EU skilled professionals to find jobs and settle in Germany.
The platform will serve as a central hub connecting non-EU job seekers with German employers. It will also provide step-by-step guidance on visa applications, recognition of foreign qualifications, housing options, and enrollment in German language or integration courses.
According to Section 18 (3) of the Residence Act (AufenthG), a “skilled worker” refers to any non-German or non-EU national who has successfully completed qualified vocational training or higher education.
Initially announced in the CDU-SPD coalition agreement of May, the “Work and Stay” website is now confirmed to launch in 2026.
Why Germany Is Seeking More Skilled Workers
Germany is currently facing an acute labor shortage. Between 2015 and 2023, the country’s annual economic growth averaged 1.2%, but according to the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), it could drop to 0.4% by 2028 and reach zero by 2029 unless migrant workers help fill critical vacancies.
An estimated 4.7 million workers are expected to leave the labor force between 2024 and 2028, and the low birth rate means fewer young people are entering the job market.
This demographic shift poses a serious risk to Germany’s pension system, which operates on a pay-as-you-go model — where current workers fund the pensions of retirees. In 1992, each retiree’s pension was supported by 2.7 working individuals; by 2023, that figure had dropped to 2.1. If trends continue, by 2030, only 1.5 workers will support each retiree, putting immense strain on the system.