Staying in Germany After You Graduate: Your Options
Germany gives every graduate — Bachelor's, Master's or doctoral — an automatic 18-month right to stay and seek employment. The permit is the §20(1) Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Arbeitssuche. After those 18 months, the EU Blue Card and a qualified-employment residence permit are the main onward routes; a settlement permit is achievable in roughly two years for most skilled graduates.
Step 1 — The 18-Month Post-Study Jobseeker Permit (§20)
What It Is
Under §20(1) of the German Residence Act, graduates of German universities receive an 18-month residence permit to seek work. The key features, confirmed by Make it in Germany (official Federal Government portal):
- Duration: 18 months — not renewable
- Work rights: full-time, any job during the search period (no restriction to your field of study)
- Who qualifies: all graduates of German higher education — Bachelor’s, Master’s, doctoral, no distinction by level
- It is not means-tested, but you must show you can support yourself during the period (normally from savings or part-time earnings)
This permit is one of the more generous post-study provisions in Europe. Most graduates use this time to attend interviews, complete trial periods, and negotiate job contracts. If you secure qualifying employment before the 18 months are up, you convert early.
Timing
Apply for the §20 permit at the local Ausländerbehörde (foreigners authority) before your existing study permit expires. Do this as soon as your final results are confirmed — do not wait until the permit expiry date. You will typically need your final transcript or degree certificate, proof of accommodation, and evidence that you can support yourself.
One Clear Limitation
The §20 permit is not renewable. If you do not find qualifying employment within 18 months and have no other basis to stay (such as a family-related permit), you must leave Germany. Plan your job search actively from day one of this permit — treat it as a countdown, not a safety blanket.
Step 2 — Working During Your Studies
You can begin building your German career well before graduation. Non-EU students in Germany may work:
- Up to 140 full days or 280 half-days per year without needing Employment Agency approval
- Approximately 20 hours per week during semester (the standard interpretation)
- Unrestricted hours during semester breaks (holidays)
- Student-assistant (Hiwi/HiWi) jobs are entirely exempt from the 140/280-day limit
The minimum wage from 1 January 2026 is €13.90 gross per hour (rising to €14.60 from 1 January 2027, per official BMAS data). At 20 hours per week, that is roughly €1,112 gross per month during term time — enough to supplement living costs and build savings for the post-graduation period.
Working in your field during study also makes you more competitive for jobs after graduation. Many German employers use student-assistant and internship periods as an informal hiring process.
Step 3 — Converting to a Long-Term Work Permit
Once you have a job offer, you convert from the §20 jobseeker permit to one of two primary permits.
Option A: Qualified Employment Residence Permit
If your job matches your level of qualification (degree-level role), you apply for a residence permit for qualified employment (§18b or §18 Residence Act). This is the standard employment permit and does not have a minimum salary threshold for most graduate roles (though immigration authorities check that the job genuinely requires your qualification).
Option B: EU Blue Card (Most Advantageous for Higher Earners)
The EU Blue Card is the preferred route for most degree-qualified African graduates because it leads to settlement faster and is recognised across EU member states. The 2026 salary thresholds (confirmed on Make it in Germany, as of June 2026) are:
| Category | Minimum Gross Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| General threshold (most professions) | €50,700/year |
| Reduced threshold — shortage occupations + graduates with degree < 3 years old | €45,934/year |
Shortage occupations include IT specialists, engineers, medical professionals, scientists, and certain STEM roles. If your degree is less than three years old (i.e. you graduated recently), the reduced threshold applies even in non-shortage fields.
Both figures are volatile as of 2026 — review the current thresholds on the Make it in Germany website at the time you apply; they are adjusted periodically.
Why the EU Blue Card matters: It leads to a settlement permit faster than the standard qualified-employment route (see Step 4) and is — in principle — portable to other EU states if you later move.
Step 4 — Settlement (Permanent Residence)
For Standard Qualified-Employment Permit Holders
Settlement under §9 of the Residence Act (unbefristete Niederlassungserlaubnis) requires, among other conditions:
- Approximately 24 months of pension contributions (two years of qualified employment)
- German language at B1 level
- Passing an integration test (Integrationskurs)
- Adequate accommodation and income without public welfare
In practice, for a graduate who converts promptly from the §20 permit to a qualified role, settlement is achievable in roughly two to three years after arriving in Germany (combining study, job search, and employment periods).
For EU Blue Card Holders
EU Blue Card holders have a faster track:
- Settlement after 27 months of Blue Card employment with A1 German language
- Settlement after 21 months with B1 German language
The 21-month route is achievable if you have been studying German since your arrival in Germany — which is worth planning early.
Both pathways are confirmed by Make it in Germany (official German government portal, as of June 2026). Exact conditions may be adjusted by legislation; verify at the Ausländerbehörde at the time you apply.
The Realistic Timeline for an African Graduate
The following is an illustrative timeline for a student who arrives for a two-year Master’s programme, based on confirmed permit rules. Actual durations vary by programme length, individual circumstances, and processing times.
| Phase | Typical Duration | Permit Type |
|---|---|---|
| Study | 2 years (e.g. Master’s) | §16b Residence Permit for Study |
| Post-graduation job search | Up to 18 months | §20(1) Jobseeker Permit |
| Qualified employment (Blue Card) | From job start | EU Blue Card |
| Settlement (with B1 German) | 21 months after Blue Card issue | Niederlassungserlaubnis |
| Total from study start to settlement | ~5–6 years (study + job search + employment) | — |
This is a viable route to permanent residence in Germany for an African graduate — but it requires consistent German-language investment alongside your degree.
Practical Considerations for African Graduates
German Language Is Not Optional for Long-Term Stay
The settlement permit requires B1 German minimum (or A1 for the slower EU Blue Card track). You do not need German to work many international roles in Germany during the 18-month permit — large companies in IT, finance, and engineering frequently operate in English. But for settlement, the language requirement is statutory. Starting German classes from your first semester is not excessive.
The Ausländerbehörde Appointment Backlog
Local foreigners’ authorities in Germany — particularly in Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg — are known for long appointment waiting times. Book your §20 permit appointment as soon as your results are available, before your study permit expires. Allow four to eight weeks for processing in major cities.
Tax and Social Contributions
Working under the §20 permit means you will be subject to standard German income tax and social insurance contributions. Familiarise yourself with the German tax class (Steuerklasse) system and register at your local Einwohnermeldeamt (residents’ registration office) promptly after arrival — this is required for any employment.
Proof of Finances During the Job Search
You do not need to show a new blocked account for the §20 permit, but you do need to demonstrate you can support yourself for 18 months without working full-time. Savings from your study period, part-time income, or a family declaration (Verpflichtungserklärung) can serve this purpose. Discuss the specific requirements with your local Ausländerbehörde.
How the Minimum Wage and Blue Card Threshold Compare
To contextualise the salary thresholds in practical terms:
| Reference Point | Annual Gross (EUR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage at 40 hrs/week (2026) | ~€28,912 | €13.90 × 40 hrs × 52 wks — below Blue Card threshold |
| Minimum wage at 40 hrs/week (2027) | ~€30,368 | €14.60 × 40 hrs × 52 wks — still below threshold |
| EU Blue Card reduced threshold | €45,934 | Shortage occupations or degree < 3 years old |
| EU Blue Card general threshold | €50,700 | All qualified roles |
The Blue Card salary is comfortably above the minimum wage, which tells you that you need a genuine graduate-level role — not just any employment — to access the faster settlement track. Entry-level positions in IT, engineering, and finance typically start in the €35,000–55,000 range in Germany; senior or specialised roles begin higher.
Scholarships That Support Your Transition
If you are still in the study phase and planning ahead, Germany’s scholarship ecosystem can reduce the financial pressure during your studies, leaving you in better shape for the post-study period.
- DAAD Study Scholarships (Master’s): €934 per month + travel + insurance. Open to all eight of our African origin countries (as of June 2026). Requires a degree no older than six years and strong academic standing.
- DAAD EPOS: Same stipend as above, for development-relevant postgraduate courses. Requires at least two years of work experience.
- Deutschlandstipendium: €300 per month, nationality-neutral, available through participating universities.
DAAD scholarship holders have their €75 visa fee waived. They also gain university contacts and German-language support that are directly useful for the post-graduation job search.
How World Study Helps
We help African students plan their Germany journey from admission to the post-study work phase — identifying which programmes fit your profile, preparing visa documentation, and connecting you with scholarship applications. Our core service is free; premium visa support carries a flat fee. Message us on WhatsApp.
For the full picture on the student visa and entry requirements, see our Germany visa guide. Check whether Germany is the right destination for your profile at our eligibility checker.
Frequently asked questions
Germany grants an 18-month jobseeker permit under §20(1) of the Residence Act. During this period you can work full-time in any job — it is not restricted to roles matching your degree. The permit is not renewable; if you have not found qualifying employment by the end of 18 months, you must leave unless you have another valid basis for staying.
Yes. The 18-month §20(1) permit applies equally to Bachelor's, Master's, and doctoral graduates from German universities. There is no differentiation by degree level for this specific permit. The distinction matters more for the EU Blue Card threshold that follows — shortage-occupation roles offer a lower salary threshold for newer graduates.
The EU Blue Card requires a minimum gross annual salary of €50,700 for most roles (as of 2026). For shortage occupations — including IT, engineering, medicine, and certain STEM fields — and for graduates whose degree is less than three years old, a reduced threshold of €45,934 applies. Both figures are volatile and reviewed periodically; confirm on the Make it in Germany website at the time you apply.
For most qualified graduates, settlement (unbefristete Niederlassungserlaubnis) requires approximately two years of skilled employment, at least 24 months of pension contributions, German language at B1 level, and passing an integration test. EU Blue Card holders can reach settlement in 27 months (with A1 German) or 21 months (with B1 German) — faster than the standard route.
Yes. Non-EU students in Germany can work up to 140 full days or 280 half-days per year without Employment Agency approval — equivalent to roughly 20 hours per week during semester. Student-assistant (HiWi) jobs are exempt from the day limit. Minimum wage is €13.90 per hour gross (from 1 January 2026), rising to €14.60 from 1 January 2027. Building savings during study makes the 18-month job-search period less financially precarious.