Changing Employers in Germany on a Work Permit

Changing employers in Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland — Federal Republic of Germany) on a work permit depends on whether you hold an EU Blue Card or a skilled worker permit. Blue Card holders only need to notify the foreigners' authority (Ausländerbehörde) of a change in their first 12 months — the authority then has 30 days to object — and after 12 months they can change jobs without telling anyone. Skilled worker permits (§18a and §18b) are tied to a specific employer and role, so the permit must be updated before you start the new job, sometimes with approval from the Federal Employment Agency (BA). If you lose your job, you generally have a three-month period to find a new one. This EU Helpers guide explains each route — international candidates can explore German opportunities through EU Helpers. Germany is a founding member of the EU (1958), a founding Schengen state, a eurozone member since 1999, a NATO member since 1955 and a Council of Europe member since 1950.

Essential Context: How German Work Permits Are Tied to Employers

The Blue Card offers far more flexibility than the skilled worker permit.

When You Can Change Employers in Germany

• Blue Card, first 12 months — you can change employer after notifying the authority, as long as the new job meets the Blue Card conditions; it can object within 30 days.
• Blue Card, after 12 months — you can change employer or position freely.
• Skilled worker permit — there is no minimum time with your first employer, but the permit must be updated before you start the new job.
• After losing your job — your permit generally stays valid for a job-seeking period of three months; tell the authority about your situation.

The Step-by-Step Process

EU Blue Card Holders

1. Check that the new job matches your qualification and meets the 2026 threshold — €50,700 a year, or €45,934.20 in shortage occupations.
2. In your first 12 months, notify the foreigners' authority of the change with the new contract.
3. The authority has 30 days to object; after 12 months, no notification is needed.
4. Give notice to your current employer and start the new job.

Skilled Worker Permit Holders

1. Secure an offer for a job that matches your recognised qualification and pays the market rate.
2. Apply to the foreigners' authority to update your permit (the supplementary sheet listing your employer).
3. Where required, the authority asks the BA for approval — the BA must respond within one week, and silence counts as approval.
4. Wait for the updated permit or a Fiktionsbescheinigung before you start the new job.
5. Give notice to your current employer, timed around the approval.

Documentation You Will Need

Timing: How Long the Switch Takes

Rules on Notice, Probation and Severance

• Notice — the statutory notice period for employees is four weeks to the 15th or the end of a calendar month, unless your contract or collective agreement sets a longer period.
• Probation — up to six months, with two weeks' notice during probation.
• Severance — there is no general statutory severance pay on resignation.
• Employer duty — your former employer must notify the foreigners' authority within four weeks if your employment ends early.

Salary and Benefits When Switching

Blue Card jobs must meet the €50,700 or €45,934.20 thresholds in 2026. Skilled worker jobs must match your qualification and pay the market rate, and applicants aged 45 or over usually need a minimum salary or adequate pension provision. Compare gross pay, holiday allowances, the 13th month and company pension schemes.

Risks and Common Mistakes

• Starting a skilled worker job before the permit update — this can breach your permit.
• Forgetting the Blue Card notification — required in the first 12 months.
• A Blue Card job below the threshold — the new job must still qualify.
• A job outside your qualification — skilled worker permits require a matching role.
• Overstaying the job-seeking period — find a new job within the permitted time.
• Forgetting family members — their permits depend on yours.

Special Cases

• Settlement permit holders — can change jobs freely.
• Intra-corporate transferees — ICT cards are tied to the group employer.
• Opportunity Card holders — follow separate job-search rules.
• Moving to another EU country — Blue Card holders can use intra-EU mobility after 12 months.
• EU, EEA and Swiss citizens — no permit is needed.

Final Guidance

Changing employers in Germany on a work permit is easiest with an EU Blue Card: notify the foreigners' authority in your first 12 months and change freely after that, as long as the new job meets the 2026 salary threshold. Skilled worker permit holders must have their permit updated — sometimes with BA approval — before starting a new job, which can take six to twelve weeks. If you lose your job, you generally have three months to find a new one. Give the correct notice and keep your family's permits in mind. Always confirm current rules with your local foreigners' authority before resigning. International candidates can explore German opportunities through EU Helpers. EU Helpers supports foreign workers with offer checks, notifications, permit updates, BA approvals and timing.