Shortage Occupation Check in Germany for HR

Consult the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit): Employers should access the official Engpassberufe list on the Bundesagentur für Arbeit website, updated annually based on labor market data, where professions scoring 2.0 or higher on the bottleneck index qualify as shortage occupations in sectors like healthcare, IT, and engineering.
Use the Make it in Germany Portal: This government resource provides detailed overviews of in-demand professions, qualification recognition, salary thresholds, and visa pathways such as the EU Blue Card for shortage occupations.
Check Fachkräfteverordnung and Recognition Tools: Review the latest Skilled Workers Regulation from the Federal Ministry of Labour for eligible professions and use the Anerkennung in Deutschland Recognition Finder to verify qualification status linked to shortage roles.
Contact Local Authorities for Confirmation: For specific cases, reach out to the local Foreigners Authority (Ausländerbehörde) or employment agency to confirm classification and support work permit applications.

How to check if your employee's profession is a shortage occupation in Germany (2025)

Employers can now check if their employee profession is classified as a shortage occupation (Mangelberuf) in Germany by consulting official and updated sources that list in-demand professions based on labor market analysis. Here are the key ways to verify this:

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‍Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit):

The Federal Employment Agency regularly publishes the official list of shortage occupations (Engpassberufe) based on labor market data and statistical analysis. This list identifies professions with significant demand and insufficient supply of qualified workers in Germany.

The list is updated annually and includes sectors such as healthcare, IT, engineering, education, and STEM fields.
Occupations scoring 2.0 or higher on the bottleneck index qualify as shortage occupations.
HR can access the current list directly on the Bundesagentur für Arbeit website or via the official government portal.

‍Make it in Germany Portal:

The German government’s “Make it in Germany” portal is a comprehensive resource for HR professionals managing international recruitment and retention. It provides:

A detailed overview of professions currently in demand.
Information on qualification recognition and immigration pathways linked to shortage occupations.
Guidance on salary thresholds and visa options like the Mint Blue Card.

Recognition Finder on Anerkennung in Deutschland:

This tool helps you determine if your foreign professional qualification is recognized in Germany and whether your profession is regulated, which is often linked to shortage occupation status

Check the Fachkräfteverordnung (Skilled Workers Regulation):

The Fachkräfteverordnung is a legal regulation issued by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs that lists shortage occupations eligible for special immigration facilitation. HR can:

Check the latest version of this regulation to confirm if a profession qualifies.
Use it as a legal reference when applying for or renewing work permits like the Mint Blue Card.

Consult the local Foreigners Authority (Ausländerbehörde):

For case-specific confirmation, HR can:

Consult the local Ausländerbehörde where the employee is registered.
Reach out to the local employment agency for advice on shortage occupation classification and related work permit procedures.

Shortage occupations sector list

For a quick overview, sectors currently recognized as shortage occupations include:

Medical doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, pharmacists
IT specialists such as software developers and programmers
Engineers and technical experts
Teachers and educators
Managers in manufacturing, mining, construction, and distribution
STEM professionals and architects

To verify the specific profession, following places can be visited:

The official shortage occupation list on the Federal Employment Agency website or the Make it in Germany portal.
Use the Recognition Finder tool at Anerkennung in Deutschland to check qualification recognition status.

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List of handy resources for managing shortage occupation check

Resource	Description	URL
Bundesagentur für Arbeit – Shortage Occupation List	Official annual list of shortage occupations	Link
Make it in Germany – Professions in Demand	Government portal with detailed info on shortage professions	Link
Anerkennung in Deutschland – Recognition Finder	Tool to verify foreign qualification recognition	Link
Fachkräfteverordnung (Skilled Workers Regulation)	Legal regulation listing shortage occupations	Link

Download table

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Rad our comprehensive guide on "Shortage Occupations in Germany" .

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Disclaimer:

Immigration laws and policies change frequently and may vary by country or nationality. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we recommend doing your own due diligence or consulting official sources. You’re also welcome to contact us directly for the latest guidance. Jobbatical is not responsible for decisions made based on the information provided.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the current status of shortage occupations (Engpassberufe or Mangelberufe) in Germany in 2026?

In 2026, Germany continues to experience major skilled worker shortages, with around 163 professions classified as bottleneck occupations based on the Federal Employment Agency analysis carried over from 2025. The most affected sectors include healthcare, IT, engineering, teaching and education, skilled trades, construction, transport and logistics, and STEM fields. This expanded list supports easier access to immigration pathways such as the EU Blue Card for these roles.

How can employers check if a specific profession is on the official shortage occupation list in 2026?

The official reference is the Federal Employment Agency’s Engpassanalyse, which is updated annually. Occupations with a bottleneck index score of 2.0 or higher qualify as shortage roles. Employers can access the current list through the statistics portal at statistik.arbeitsagentur.de or via the Make it in Germany platform, which also links these roles to immigration benefits such as the reduced EU Blue Card salary threshold of €45,934.20 in 2026.

What benefits do shortage occupations provide for international recruitment and visas in 2026?

Roles on the shortage list benefit from facilitations under the Skilled Immigration Act, including a lower EU Blue Card salary threshold of €45,934.20 (compared to €50,700 for other professions), faster processing times, and simplified work permit procedures. These measures help employers attract non-EU talent more efficiently, particularly in IT, healthcare, and engineering.

How does the Recognition Finder tool help, and is it still relevant in 2026?

The Recognition Finder on Anerkennung in Deutschland remains a key tool in 2026 for checking whether a foreign qualification is recognized in Germany, whether the profession is regulated, and how it aligns with shortage status. Used together with the Make it in Germany portal, it provides guidance on qualification equivalence, visa routes, and demand-driven occupations.

Where can HR find the most up-to-date resources and legal references for shortage occupations in 2026?

Key sources include the Bundesagentur für Arbeit statistics portal for the Engpassanalyse, the Make it in Germany website for professions in demand and visa information, the Anerkennung in Deutschland Recognition Finder, and the Skilled Workers Regulation published by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. For case-specific guidance, employers should consult the local Ausländerbehörde or employment agency and always verify the latest annual updates.