Germany is positioning itself as a destination for Indian professionals at a time when the United States has raised costs for foreign workers. German ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann has urged skilled Indians to consider Europe’s largest economy, calling it a “stable and rewarding” alternative.
Posting on X, he said, “Here is my call to all highly skilled Indians. Germany stands out with its stable migration policies, and with great job opportunities in IT, management, science and tech.”
In a video message, Ackermann noted that Indians working in Germany are among the country’s top earners. He pointed out that the average Indian professional makes more than the average German, arguing that higher salaries reflect their strong contribution to society.
Behind the call is a looming demographic challenge. Germany’s ageing population means it needs around 288,000 immigrants each year until 2040 to sustain economic growth.
Berlin has already moved to issue over 10% more professional visas in 2024, with bigger quotas planned for Indian workers. In 2025, the German government is set to issue 200,000 professional visas, of which 90,000 will be for Indians — a sharp rise from the earlier cap of 20,000.
There are already about 130,000 Indian professionals living and working in Germany. Their average monthly salary stands at 5,359 euros, well above the German median of 3,945 euros at the end of 2023.
For many, these numbers show why Berlin is keen to attract more Indian talent. Whether Indians take up this invitation in large numbers may depend on how the US and other countries adjust their own immigration policies in the months ahead.
