Foreign Qualification Rules To Change In Germany

Due to a lack of skills in some professions, Germany is introducing new ways of assessing the qualifications of potential Expats

London, UK (Pryce Warner International) September 13th, 2011 – The main new measure will be a central hotline that will assess the qualifications of foreigners seeking work in Germany.

The German cabinet has already approved legislation that will make the it easier for foreigners to have their qualifications recognised in Germany. This will particularly help those from outside the EU though the legislation has yet to be approved by parliament.

It is estimated that Germany faces a shortage of 400 000 skilled workers and the new legislation has been designed to fill this need. In the field of medicine alone there is reportedly a shortage of 12 000 hospital doctors and 3000 general practitioners.

Other professions needing more qualified employees are engineering, which has an estimated 76 000 unfilled vacancies. It is hoped that the move will also increase the amount of Pharmacists and IT specialists.

Part of the reason for the shortages of labour in these fields is the current system for recognising foreign qualifications. Many Expats already reside in Germany who are potentially capable of working in these roles but at present their qualifications are not recognised. Research suggests that there are up to 40 000 people in Germany that hold degrees that cannot be recognised.

Some professions, like Doctors, have to have a German passport in order to work. The German government is also aiming to make these rules more flexible.

David Harra, a Senior Market & Investment Analyst with Pryce Warner International, a Financial Services Provider for Expats, commented: “While other countries are struggling with high unemployment Germany appears to have the more enviable position of having more jobs than people to fill them. These new rules also would seem to indicate that for many it may well be worth considering relocating to Germany in order to find work. With the current economic situation Germany would probably also be one of the more stable nations in Europe to reside in. Anyone considering moving abroad should always consult independent advisors before doing so however, as the various tax and financial implications can be bewildering to anyone that has never done it before."

Pryce Warner International Group provide International Asset & Investment Management, Independent Financial Advice & QROPS Overseas Pensions.

-------------------------------
By: Aneil Fatania
Financial Editor
Pryce Warner International Group
For any corrections of factual information contained within our news items please contact our editor.
Email: af@prycewarner.com
Skype: newsdesk-pwi
Telephone: U.K.- +44 20 3364 5016 or Monaco - +377 97 97 29 22