20
Aug 2025
International students in Germany are doing more than studying; they are influencing the country’s job market goals.
Surveys showed that most want to stay after graduation, but they face major challenges in building long-term careers that need to be addressed right away.
Students choose Germany for education, opportunity
A major survey by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) asked nearly 21,000 international students from 132 universities about their future plans.
Two-thirds said that they want to stay in Germany after graduation, especially those studying economics, engineering, and computer science.
Almost half even hope to start their own businesses there. DAAD president Joybrato Mukherjee called this a turning point:
“Two thirds want to stay after graduation, and half are thinking about starting a business. That shows: Anyone studying in Germany today wants to help shape the future of our country.”
Students said that they are drawn by Germany’s strong economy, low-cost education, and the rising need for skilled workers. For many, staying in Germany feels like the obvious choice.
Skilled labor shortage drives demand for graduates
Germany’s shrinking workforce and low birth rates make foreign graduates more important than ever. The German Economic Institute expects a shortage of 768,000 skilled workers by 2028.
To respond, Germany expanded its “Opportunity Card” program, issuing a record 200,000 professional visas in 2024, a 10% rise from the previous year.
These measures aim to attract and retain international talent, making students already inside the system especially valuable.
Students call for stronger support in career transition
Only about one-third of students feel ready to enter Germany’s job market, despite their goals. Many said that they need stronger career services, better German language training, and direct links to professional networks.
Mukherjee cautioned that universities are not doing enough:
“If we want to attract international students as future skilled workers, we need to prepare them better for the [labor] market. This requires targeted programs at universities and more staff who are permanently available to universities for this task.”
Without more support, many capable graduates may struggle to move from studying to full-time work.
(Image courtesy of rawpixel via Freepik)
Language, bureaucracy create barriers
Language is still one of the biggest challenges. Many students choose English-taught programs, but long-term careers in Germany often require strong German skills.
DAAD found that half of international undergraduates study in German, and almost half already reach B2 level. Among those in English programs, 63% take extra courses to improve their German.
Bureaucracy makes things harder. Tasks like renewing visas or registering companies often involve heavy paperwork that students find overwhelming.
Economic value of international graduates
Germany’s spending on international education pays off. DAAD estimated that foreign students give back eight times more to public budgets than the government invests in them.
The OECD further reported that Germany keeps nearly half of its international graduates ten years after they start studying, the highest rate among top destinations, tied with Canada.
With 405,000 international students now enrolled, even a small rise in retention could bring major economic gains.
The German Economic Institute found that even if only 40% stay after graduation, each student group still adds a net €16 billion to the economy.
Shifting travel rules reshape visitor experiences
Starting in late 2026, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will change how short- and long-term visitors enter Germany and other EU countries.
Travelers from 59 visa-free nations will need electronic approval tied to their passport before arriving. The authorization lasts three years or until the passport expires and allows stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day window.
This requirement will affect how easily family, academic partners, and business contacts can visit international students or recent graduates in Germany. The €20 fee is small, but the need to apply adds a step that wasn’t there before.
For students moving toward long-term residence, ETIAS does not replace visa procedures, but it may limit how often relatives can visit during important adjustment periods.
The EU introduced ETIAS to track short-term entries more closely while staying open to skilled workers. For Germany, where international graduates help fill labor shortages, the system could support both mobility and controlled entry.
(Image courtesy of Drazen Zigic via iStock)
EU policies evolve under pressure from student migration
Germany’s dependence on international graduates has effects across Europe. Other EU countries watch how Germany links education to jobs as a way to offset population decline.
With the shared Schengen visa system and the upcoming ETIAS rules, governments face growing pressure to align their approaches to skilled immigration.
The European Commission has promoted keeping talent through student mobility policies, but countries often apply them differently. Germany’s longer post-study work permits and its fast-track “Opportunity Card” show a move toward more flexible options.
These steps may prompt neighbors like France, Italy, and the Netherlands to update their immigration rules to remain competitive in attracting students and workers.
If Germany succeeds in keeping more graduates, its policies could serve as a model for broader EU reform, leading to a more coordinated approach to integrating skilled migrants.
Germany’s future depends on supporting international students
Most international students aim for careers in Germany, but too many still feel unprepared for the transition from study to work.
For Germany, facing demographic change and a looming shortage of skilled workers, this is more than a student issue; it is an economic priority.
The question now is whether universities, employers, and policymakers will provide the support needed to help these graduates thrive.