Germany eases a series of regulations for international students

Germany Eases Regulations for International Students Amid Severe Labor Shortages

Germany has relaxed a series of regulations for international students, allowing them to work up to 140 days per year, reducing age and language requirements for vocational students, in the context of a severe labor shortage.

The new regulations took effect from the beginning of March. Students from non-EU countries are now allowed to work up to 140 days per year, an increase of 20 days compared to previous rules.

For vocational students, the age limit for application has been raised to 35, up from the previous limit of 25. The German government has also extended the maximum residence period for this group from six to nine months, while reducing the German language requirement from B2 to B1.

Students who have arrived in Germany but are still looking for schools, attending language courses, or taking preparatory courses, as well as those with a vocational study or internship residence permit, are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. This is a new provision compared to the previous rules.

“This creates flexibility, helping students support themselves and transition into the labor market more easily. It also makes Germany more attractive to international students who want to study and stay after graduation as skilled workers,” said the Ministry of Education and Research in an official statement.

Additionally, Germany has simplified the process for granting work permits to foreign workers. Previously, candidates in certain fields such as healthcare or law had to have their qualifications recognized before entering the country, which usually took about four months. Under the new regulations, this process can now be done after the worker arrives in Germany. The requirements remain the same: workers must have a contract, a professional qualification with at least two years of training or a university degree.

A corner of the campus of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) – ranked 37th in the world according to QS 2024. Photo: A. Eckert/TUM Fanpage

The changes are being made amid severe shortages of skilled labor in Germany, the largest economy in Europe. According to Reuters, forecasts suggest that Germany will face a shortage of 7 million skilled workers by 2035 due to its aging population.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has emphasized the role of international students in addressing this issue. Early last year, DAAD called on the government, universities, and businesses to develop strategies to attract and double the number of international students who stay after graduation, aiming for around 50,000 students annually by 2030.

“They are highly qualified and well-integrated. We should strategically leverage their potential as skilled workers,” said Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee, President of DAAD.

Last academic year, about 458,000 international students were enrolled in Germany, a record high and an increase of over 50% compared to 10 years ago. The most popular field among international students is Engineering (over 31%), followed by Law, Economics, and Social Sciences.

There are three main reasons why an increasing number of foreign students are choosing to study in Germany. First, most public universities charge no tuition fees, with international students only paying administrative fees of 150-250 euros (approximately 4-6.6 million VND) per year. Second, the average living expenses in Germany are about 930 euros per month (1,000 USD), which is lower than in the UK or the US (1,250-1,500 USD).

Finally, after graduation, students have the opportunity to stay and work in Germany for up to 18 months. According to Study in Germany, the official website for international students in Germany…

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