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The German labor market is grappling with a severe shortage of skilled professionals, with a deficit of approximately 530,000 qualified specialists, as highlighted in a recent study by the German Economic Institute (IW). Despite the pressing need to fill vacancies, particularly in the healthcare sector, Germany continues to struggle with bureaucratic obstacles that make the visa application process difficult, Schengen.News reports. Foreign professionals seeking employment frequently express frustration with the system, citing lengthy visa processing times that often leave applicants waiting months or even years for a decision.
A prime example is a 25-year-old Turkish doctor who applied for a national visa to Germany in hopes of practicing in a country that, at least on paper, urgently requires more doctors from abroad. However, she has faced prolonged delays due to complex administrative requirements that have slowed down the process. She also described the procedures as exhausting and costly.
The number of foreign professionals in Germany has risen in recent years. A 2023 report by Destatis revealed that 12% of all doctors working in German hospitals and healthcare institutions were foreign nationals. "A good 12 per cent, or 62,000 doctors, did not have German citizenship in 2023. Ten years earlier, the figure was seven per cent or 29,000," Destatis reported. Further data from the report indicated that the medical profession was the second most commonly recognized foreign qualification in 2022. Additionally, the latest EURES report identified the 25 most in-demand professions in Germany, which include dental assistants, therapists, nursing associate professionals, medical technicians, and physiotherapists. Overall, the German job market is experiencing shortages in over 70 different occupations.
The healthcare and nursing sectors alone currently have 16,698 unfilled positions, with projections suggesting that demand for skilled workers in these fields will continue to rise due to demographic trends. "Due to demographic trends, an increase in the demand for skilled workers in these professions is expected in the future," stated the German Economic Institute (IW). According to the Federal Foreign Office, nearly two million visa applications were processed in 2024, with 419,000 receiving approval. Of these, 172,000 were work visas, while 124,000 were issued for family reunification. Additionally, 99,000 visas were granted for study purposes, and 24,000 were issued for other reasons.
By fLEXI tEAM