Study: Above-average migration from Iran to Germany

Looking at global migration patterns often resembles looking at a highly complex mosaic. While HR departments in Germany manually search for highly qualified talent from countries like the USA , Great Britain , or Canada, a completely different, highly engaged dynamic is forming in the shadow of geopolitical upheavals. The recent attacks and the persistently volatile situation in the Middle East have shifted the focus of European migration policy. A recent analysis by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) reveals a surprising picture: A large proportion of people in Iran who want to emigrate are specifically looking to Germany – and they bring qualifications that could have a lasting impact on the German labor market.

Why is Germany the desired destination for Iranian skilled workers?

The desire to leave one's homeland often stems from an acute crisis, but the choice of destination country follows a clear logic. According to the Gallup survey, around 25 percent of the Iranian population harbors a general intention to emigrate – a figure that exactly matches the global average. The real surprise, however, lies in the details: a full 28 percent of Iranians with concrete migration intentions name Germany as their preferred destination. By comparison, the global average for all other countries of origin is just 7 percent.

For German employers and HR departments, this is a crucial signal. Germany's enormous appeal is based not only on existing networks within the diaspora, but also on the perception of the Federal Republic as a stable economic and educational hub. German residency law offers particularly attractive prospects for academic elites and young professionals – for example, via the classic EU Blue Card according to Section 18g of the German Residence Act – provided a regular employment contract exists. In cases of displacement, however, primarily humanitarian residence permits under Section 5 of the German Residence Act apply.

What qualifications does the Iranian diaspora bring?

When the public debate turns to migration from asylum-seeking countries, there is often skepticism regarding the direct applicability of qualifications on the local labor market. However, data from the IAB paints a completely different picture for people from Iran. The employment rate of Iranian nationals was a remarkable 64 percent in January 2026 , closely approaching the general population average of 69 percent. It significantly exceeds the average rate for other asylum-seeking countries (50 percent).

The foundation of this success is the exceptionally high level of education. Around 27 percent of Iranian women refugees and 26 percent of men hold a university degree . Looking solely at those in jobs subject to social security contributions, the proportion of academics among Iranians is an impressive 43 percent. This potential offers a tremendous opportunity for companies that manually recruit specialists. A large proportion of these skilled workers already operate at a specialist or expert level, occupying academic or highly qualified technical positions and thus relieving pressure on the German job market, which is plagued by a shortage of skilled workers.

What legal and social obstacles do Iranian women face?

The migration biographies of Iranian women warrant special consideration. While their share of the population in Germany, at 46 percent, is slightly lower than that of men, they exhibit remarkable dynamism in the labor market. Five years after their arrival, 40 percent of Iranian refugee women are already employed – compared to a meager 16 percent for women from other traditional countries of origin. Furthermore, half of them work full-time, which can be attributed, among other things, to greater independence and often fewer children within this specific group.

Nevertheless, the hurdles to entry are high. Women in Iran face massive repression, and at the same time, the escape route is fraught with immense gender-specific risks. As a law firm, we repeatedly emphasize in our daily practice that the regular visa process involves immense bureaucratic obstacles. Should the conflict in the region escalate, state-controlled, humanitarian admission programs under Section 23 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG) would be a simple instrument. Such programs create safe, orderly entry routes and ensure that particularly vulnerable, highly qualified women can contribute their potential to Germany without having to take the life-threatening detour via uncontrolled escape routes.

To stay or to move on: How sustainable is this migration?

Despite the high level of satisfaction with life in Germany, the study reveals an interesting aspect: only 49 percent of the Iranians surveyed plan to stay in Germany permanently. Around 5 percent of respondents expressed concrete plans to leave the country again. A return to Iran is out of the question for almost no one (1 percent) as long as the regime there remains in power. Instead, people are drawn to other Western destinations – Denmark, Switzerland, and the USA top the list .

For employers, this means that "retention management"—the long-term retention of talent—must play a central role. Those who want to keep highly qualified young professionals and academics within their company must offer them clear career paths and support in securing their long-term legal status. The transition from a humanitarian residence permit or student visa to a permanent residence permit, such as a residence permit under Section 18b of the German Residence Act (AufenthG) or faster naturalization under the modernized citizenship law , is the crucial lever here. We regularly support companies and skilled workers through these status changes (the so-called "change of status") to create legal certainty for both parties.

Conclusion

The current IAB study impressively demonstrates that migration from Iran holds enormous potential for the German labor market, fundamentally different from other migration flows. Iranian immigrants are exceptionally well-educated, highly academically attained, and integrate quickly and successfully into the labor market. However, since many of them view Germany only as a temporary stopover, both policymakers and businesses are challenged. Orderly, legally sound immigration pathways must be established, while bureaucratic hurdles to the recognition of qualifications and changes in legal status must be reduced. Only in this way can these talented individuals be retained in Germany long-term.