Immigration and Employer of Record in Germany
Hiring international employees through an Employer of Record in Germany is possible — but the employee’s residence and work authorisation must be compatible with temporary agency employment.
Why EOR immigration requires a closer look
In Germany, EOR arrangements are generally structured under the Temporary Employment Act. This changes how immigration requirements must be assessed.
Employer of Record
worknow becomes the legal employer in Germany and handles the local employment contract and payroll.
Temporary agency employment
The employee works operationally for the client. Legally, this is classified as temporary agency work.
Immigration approval
Not every residence title allows employment as a temporary agency worker. The specific work authorisation is decisive.
Which residence titles work with EOR?
An overview of common immigration scenarios and their compatibility with our licensed model.
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens
- Permanent residence permit
- Unrestricted permission to work
- Regular EU Blue Card without Agency approval
- Existing work authorisation that already covers the arrangement
- Employer-specific residence permits
- Residence permits with a supplementary sheet
- Employees changing employer
- Employees working in Germany > 2 years
- Family reunification permits
- Students and graduates
- Residence titles requiring Federal Employment Agency approval
- Reduced-threshold EU Blue Card cases requiring approval
- Work authorisation restricted to another named employer
- Job-seeker permits without employment authorisation
EU Blue Card and EOR employment
The EU Blue Card can be a suitable residence title for highly qualified employees working through worknow. The decisive question is whether the specific application requires approval.
Regular EU Blue Card
- Recognised university degree or equivalent qualification
- Qualified employment appropriate to the qualification
- Regular statutory salary threshold met
- Normally no approval from the Federal Employment Agency required
Reduced salary threshold
- Shortage occupations (IT, Engineering, etc.)
- Recent university graduates
- Lower statutory salary threshold applied
- Approval from the Federal Employment Agency required
University degree requirements
For most EU Blue Card applications, a recognised qualification is necessary:
- German degree: Generally straightforward to prove.
- Foreign degree: Assessment usually via the anabin database or a Statement of Comparability.
- IT specialists without degree: May be possible based on experience, but often requires Agency approval.
Why other visas can be challenging
Many German employment-based permits require approval from the Federal Employment Agency. Under German law, this approval must generally be refused for temporary agency workers.
However, employment through worknow may still be possible where the person already has unrestricted labour-market access.
Initial EOR Assessment
Provide us with your documents for a preliminary compatibility check.
Information we need
- Nationality & current country of residence
- Current residence permit & expiry date
- Wording of the supplementary sheet (Zusatzblatt)
- University degree or professional qualification
- Intended job title, duties & annual gross salary
What worknow can assess
- If the employment can generally be structured via our EOR model.
- If the residence document appears to permit employment.
- Which employment documents we can provide for an application.
What worknow does not provide
- Immigration or visa advice / Legal representation.
- Guarantees regarding official approval.
- Communication with authorities on behalf of the employee.
Immigration support through Jobbatical
Immigration law is highly case-specific. For visa applications, residence permit changes, employer changes and communication with the German immigration authorities, we recommend working with a specialised immigration provider.
Jobbatical provides immigration services independently from worknow. Immigration services are not included in worknow’s EOR fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for an EU Blue Card through an EOR?
Can worknow sponsor my visa?
Can I work through worknow with a reduced-threshold EU Blue Card?
My residence permit names my current employer. Can I change to worknow?
I have worked in Germany for more than two years. Does this change the situation?
Can Jobbatical guarantee approval?
Does worknow provide legal or immigration advice?
The all-in-one solution for Germany.
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