There is currently a high level of unemployment in Germany, and it can be difficult for non-EU nationals without specialist qualifications to find jobs there, since the Government is keen to protect jobs for German nationals. EU citizens are allowed to enter and take up employment in Germany without restriction, although they are required to obtain a residence permit if staying for more than three months. It is generally necessary to speak German in order to work in Germany, except in the case of some low-skilled or unskilled jobs. Many jobs are regulated in Germany, requiring formal qualifications which must be certified by the relevant German authorities.

Recent changes in immigration policy have made it easier for highly qualified people and those with particular skills, such as IT professionals, to obtain German work permits.

Vacancies for highly-skilled jobs are posted in national newspapers such as the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Die Welt, Handelsblatt and Frankfurter Rundschau, and are also filled via executive search agencies, whose services are usually provided free of charge to the jobseeker. Other types of vacancies are often advertised in the local press or registered with recruitment agencies.