Germany Immigration Tool
Germany Shortage Occupation List 2025
Check instantly whether your profession is a German shortage occupation (Mangelberuf) for the Opportunity Card and EU Blue Card.
Search the official list of shortage occupations under Section 18g (1) (2) (1) of the German Residence Act (AufenthG), based on the ISCO-08 classification. If your occupation is listed, you gain an extra point on the Chancenkarte and a lower salary threshold for the EU Blue Card.
Most searched shortage occupations
Full shortage occupation list
70 of 70 occupations
132 — Manufacturing, mining, construction, and distribution managers
Management| 1321 | Manufacturing managers |
| 1322 | Mining managers |
| 1323 | Construction managers |
| 1324 | Supply, distribution and related managers |
133 — Information and communications technology service managers
Management| 1330 | Information and communications technology service managers |
134 — Professional services managers
Management| 1341 | Childcare services managers |
| 1342 | Health services managers |
| 1343 | Aged care services managers |
| 1344 | Social welfare managers |
| 1345 | Education managers |
| 1346 | Financial and insurance services branch managers |
| 1349 | Professional services managers not elsewhere classified |
211 — Physical and earth science professionals
Science & Engineering| 2111 | Physicists and astronomers |
| 2112 | Meteorologists |
| 2113 | Chemists |
| 2114 | Geologists and geophysicists |
212 — Mathematicians, actuaries and statisticians
Science & Engineering| 2120 | Mathematicians, actuaries and statisticians |
213 — Life science professionals
Science & Engineering| 2131 | Biologists, botanists, zoologists and related professionals |
| 2132 | Farming, forestry and fisheries advisers |
| 2133 | Environmental protection professionals |
214 — Engineering professionals (excluding electrotechnology)
Science & Engineering| 2141 | Industrial and production engineers |
| 2142 | Civil engineers |
| 2143 | Environmental engineers |
| 2144 | Mechanical engineers |
| 2145 | Chemical engineers |
| 2146 | Mining engineers, metallurgists and related professionals |
| 2149 | Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified |
215 — Electrotechnology engineers
Science & Engineering| 2151 | Electrical engineers |
| 2152 | Electronics engineers |
| 2153 | Telecommunications engineers |
216 — Architects, planners, surveyors and designers
Science & Engineering| 2161 | Building architects |
| 2162 | Landscape architects |
| 2163 | Product and garment designers |
| 2164 | Town and traffic planners |
| 2165 | Cartographers and surveyors |
| 2166 | Graphic and multimedia designers |
221 — Medical doctors
Health| 2211 | Generalist medical practitioners |
| 2212 | Specialist medical practitioners |
222 — Nursing and midwifery professionals
Health| 2221 | Nursing professionals |
| 2222 | Midwifery professionals |
225 — Veterinarians
Health| 2250 | Veterinarians |
226 — Other health professionals
Health| 2261 | Dentists |
| 2262 | Pharmacists |
| 2263 | Environmental and occupational health and hygiene professionals |
| 2264 | Physiotherapists |
| 2265 | Dieticians and nutritionists |
| 2266 | Audiologists and speech therapists |
| 2267 | Optometrists and ophthalmic opticians |
| 2269 | Health professionals not elsewhere classified |
231 — University and higher education teachers
Teaching| 2310 | University and higher education teachers |
232 — Vocational education teachers
Teaching| 2320 | Vocational education teachers |
233 — Secondary education teachers
Teaching| 2330 | Secondary education teachers |
234 — Primary school and early childhood teachers
Teaching| 2341 | Primary school teachers |
| 2342 | Early childhood educators |
235 — Other teaching professionals
Teaching| 2351 | Education methods specialists |
| 2352 | Special needs teachers |
| 2353 | Other language teachers |
| 2354 | Other music teachers |
| 2355 | Other arts teachers |
| 2356 | Information technology trainers |
| 2359 | Teaching professionals not elsewhere classified |
251 — Software and applications developers and analysts
IT & Communications| 2511 | Systems analysts |
| 2512 | Software developers |
| 2513 | Web and multimedia developers |
| 2514 | Applications programmers |
| 2519 | Software and applications developers and analysts not elsewhere classified |
252 — Database and network professionals
IT & Communications| 2521 | Database designers and administrators |
| 2522 | Systems administrators |
| 2523 | Computer network professionals |
| 2529 | Database and network professionals not elsewhere classified |
What is a German shortage occupation?
A shortage occupation (Mangelberuf) is a profession where Germany cannot fill vacancies with local or EU workers. The Federal Government publishes the list under Section 18g of the Residence Act using the international ISCO-08 occupation codes. Engineering, IT, healthcare, teaching and skilled management roles dominate the current list.
Why it matters for your visa
- Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte): a shortage occupation adds +1 point to your score.
- EU Blue Card: shortage occupations qualify for the reduced salary threshold.
- Faster processing: priority handling under the accelerated skilled worker procedure.
- Stronger job search: German employers actively recruit from these occupation groups.
How to use this list
- Search your job title or ISCO code above.
- Read the unit group name and confirm your real duties match it.
- Check your total Chancenkarte score with our points calculator.
- Get your degree comparison (ANABIN/ZAB) and, for regulated jobs, formal recognition.
Is your profession in demand in Germany?
Our Germany team will confirm your ISCO match, calculate your Opportunity Card points, and plan your move.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Germany shortage occupation list?
It is the official list of shortage occupations under Section 18g (1) (2) (1) of the German Residence Act (AufenthG), based on the ISCO-08 classification. It names the professions where Germany has a recognised skills shortage.
Why does the shortage list matter for the Opportunity Card?
If your occupation appears on this list, you earn an extra point in the Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) points system, which improves your chances of qualifying.
How does the list affect the EU Blue Card?
Shortage occupations qualify for a lower salary threshold for the EU Blue Card, making it easier for employers to hire you and for you to get approval.
Is my ISCO code the same as my job title?
Not always. Match your actual duties to the ISCO-08 unit group description rather than relying only on the job title used by your employer.
Do I need German language skills for a shortage occupation?
It depends on the role. Regulated jobs such as nursing and medicine usually require B1–B2 German. IT and engineering roles can often start in English.
Do I need my qualification recognised?
For regulated professions (health, teaching, some engineering roles) you need formal recognition. For most other roles, a recognised degree comparison via ANABIN is sufficient.
Is the shortage list updated?
Yes. Germany reviews the list periodically. This page reflects the 2024 list published by Make it in Germany.
Can I apply without a job offer?
Yes — with the Opportunity Card you can move to Germany for up to one year to search for a job, provided you meet the points requirement.
Do shortage occupations get faster visa processing?
Shortage occupations are prioritised by the Federal Employment Agency and often move faster through the accelerated skilled worker procedure.
How can 7 Wings help?
We assess your ISCO match, check your points, handle document recognition, and guide your Opportunity Card or EU Blue Card application end to end.
Explore further
Plan your Germany move
Combine the shortage list with your points score and the right service.
- Germany Opportunity Card points calculator
Score your Chancenkarte eligibility in 60 seconds.
- Germany Opportunity Card service
End-to-end support from documents to landing.
- JSS Program
Job-search support for German employers.
- Book a free consultation
Talk to our Germany immigration team.