Skills demand in Germany in 2026: where recruitment is difficult

Germany's labour market presents a mixed picture in autumn 2026. Businesses are cautious about hiring, while some occupations remain difficult to fill. Candidates and employers should distinguish the overall market from the situation in a particular occupation.

This report uses BA monthly data for September 2026 and the September 2026 release of its shortage analysis for the year 2025. Research reference date: 16 October 2026.

660,000 registered vacancies in September 2026

The Federal Employment Agency recorded about 660,000 vacancies in September 2026, 30,000 more than in the same month a year earlier. Registered unemployment was 2.994 million. [1]

The vacancy total covers offers registered with BA, not the entire German market and not the vacancies on Jobvelio. The two national totals do not mean every unemployed person matches every vacancy: qualifications, place and hours can differ.

Shortage occupations in care, healthcare, construction and crafts

The 2025 shortage analysis identifies 157 occupational groups with skills shortages. Nursing and healthcare were particularly affected, with shortages also in construction and skilled trades. The BA release also mentions cooks, professional drivers and educators. [2]

This measures recruitment difficulties, rather than providing a current ranking of every advertised job. A shortage is not a promise of employment for an individual.

Field	What candidates should check	What employers should explain
Nursing and healthcare	Required qualifications and recognition	Work area, shifts and professional responsibility
Construction and crafts	Practical experience and necessary evidence	Tasks, locations and equipment
Kitchen work	Duties and distribution of hours	Kitchen concept, shifts and responsibilities
Professional driving	Driving licences and qualifications	Routes, shifts and return to the base
Education	Qualification and type of work	Institution, operating hours and duties

The table provides editorial review questions; it adds no new numerical shortage estimates to the official analysis.

Why a blanket claim about an IT skills shortage is misleading

The national 2025 analysis no longer found a shortage in software development or IT sales, among other groups. [2]

That does not mean suitable IT jobs do not exist. It shows why an occupation, specialism and location need separate attention. A development in healthcare cannot be applied to every technical role. A clear account of your skills is more useful than assuming an industry label guarantees good prospects.

An employer example: technical work at Deutsche Bahn

Deutsche Bahn describes industrial mechanics working on assembly, commissioning and maintenance of railway technology. Its careers website explains entry routes and links to a job search. [3]

This illustrates a technical field. It does not establish that Deutsche Bahn is Germany's largest recruiter or that the same vacancy is open at every location. Check the current advertisement and intended workplace directly. The editorial mention does not imply a partnership or customer relationship with Jobvelio.

Check skills, hours and place

Search for a specific activity and add the desired region. Read the responsibilities as well as the title: advertisements with identical titles can involve different levels of responsibility.

Identify essential requirements and those merely preferred. Explicit training may help when qualifications are missing. A wish to change careers is not a reason to ignore mandatory professional requirements.

Read the focused job-search guide.

Make role descriptions understandable

Employers should prioritise requirements: what is needed on day one, and what can be learned during induction? Explain hours, remuneration and the workplace. Specific responsibilities and a clear application route are more useful than generic promises about a dynamic team.

State the language level actually required. An English version helps people read the advertisement; it does not replace communication skills necessary for the work.

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