Study: More than half of businesses are calling for B2
According to a study by the Institute for Employment Research, 57 percent of companies require at leastB2-level German language proficiency. By comparison, for the Naturalization and the Settlement permit , the lower B1 level is sufficient.
Level B2 means that candidates must be able to do more than just engage in everyday conversation. They should also be able to understand more complex topics, communicate spontaneously, and clearly express their opinions. In a professional setting, this may also involve participating in technical discussions or writing professional emails with confidence.
For many immigrants, this is a major hurdle. After all, learning German takes time and practice. At the same time, many people want to—or need to—start working before they have reached this level of proficiency.
In these industries, the requirements are particularly high
The level of language proficiency required varies greatly depending on the industry. A B2 level is particularly common in professions that involve a lot of speaking, advising, or documentation.
For example, in the financial and insurance services sector, 79 percent of companies require at least a B2 level. In education, the figure is 76 percent. In the health and social services sector, the proportion is 74 percent.
The requirements are lower in the hospitality industry and in the transportation and warehousing sector. In the hospitality industry, only 30 percent of businesses require at least a B2 level. In the transportation and warehousing sector, the figure is 37 percent. Nevertheless, German language skills play an important role in these sectors as well, for example when following work instructions or interacting with customers.
The requirements are particularly high when it comes to external communication, i.e., with customers. In this area, many companies even require language skills at the C1 or C2 level.
When it comes to internal communication, the requirements are somewhat lower, as companies apparently see more leeway here—for example, through team support or translation tools.
Small businesses often have higher standards
The size of a company also plays a role. The study shows that small and medium-sized enterprises (with up to 250 employees) are less likely to hire applicants who do not yet have sufficient German language skills.
Among companies with fewer than ten employees, 54 percent say they generally require at least B2-level proficiency. In contrast, only 26 percent of large companies with 250 or more employees do so.
One possible reason: In smaller companies, employees often need to be versatile. Large companies, on the other hand, are more likely to offer positions where a lower level of language proficiency is sufficient.
One in two companies sets a strict B2 threshold
Another finding of the study is particularly important: 50 percent of companies state that they generally do not consider applications from individuals whose German language proficiency is below the B2 level. In other words, for them, B2 is a fixed minimum requirement.
This shows just how significant the language barrier can be in the job market. Even if a candidate is qualified for the job, a lack of German language skills can prevent them from making the shortlist.
Where are the exceptions?
But not all companies exclude applicants with limited German language skills. According to the study, 12 percent of companies consider such applications if the job does not require advanced language skills. Another 15 percent of companies are willing to do so if the applicants are taking German language courses.
This means that it can be helpful for applicants to mention during the application process that they are actively learning German. It can also be helpful to mention that they are currently taking a language course.
Conclusion: What does this mean for migrants?
The study makes it clear: German language skills are crucial when looking for a job. More than half of companies require language skills at the B2 level. This is especially true for jobs that involve a lot of communication, responsibility, or customer contact.
However, just because you haven’t reached B2 level yet doesn’t mean you’re automatically out of the running. Many companies are willing to hire applicants with limited German language skills as long as they are actively learning the language.
It is important to look for positions where your language proficiency matches the job requirements. It can also be helpful to actively participate in a language course and clearly mention this in your application. For many companies, it is not only important what level a person is at today, but also whether they are willing to continue improving their German language skills.
