How skilled workerrecruitment works
From your first inquiry to the skilled worker on your construction site — every step explained transparently. No black box. No fine print.
Is BAUPROS right for your company?
International skilled worker recruitment is not the right solution for every company. We'll honestly tell you whether it makes sense for you.
Makes sense if:
- You want to hire at least 1 skilled worker long-term (permanent)
- You can plan for an onboarding phase of 2–4 weeks
- You have an experienced journeyman or master who can guide the onboarding
- You're willing to support with accommodation and integration
Doesn't make sense if:
- You're looking for short-term (under 4 weeks) temporary workers
- You only need project-based staff for a few weeks
- You have no capacity for an onboarding phase
- You're looking for unskilled helpers
Straight talk: We are not a temporary staffing agency. BAUPROS places skilled workers for permanent employment with you. If you're looking for temp work or short-term help, we're not the right partner — and we'd rather tell you directly.
What does recruitment cost?
Festpreis statt Überraschungen.
Sie wissen vorher exakt, was Sie investieren. Ein Festpreis pro Fachkraft, all-inclusive, mit Nachbesetzungsgarantie.
Flexible payment model: two installments
Installment 1
Upon contract signing
Candidate search, pre-screening, qualification check, document preparation
Installment 2
After start of employment
After 3 months of continuous employment: 3 Monate
After 6 months of continuous employment: 6 Monate
Included in the fixed price
- •Candidate search and pre-selection
- •Qualification and reference verification
- •A2 German certification before arrival
- •Complete visa processing (for third countries)
- •Authority coordination (BA, ABH, HWK, ZAB)
- •Document verification and preparation
- •Travel organization
- •3–6 months replacement guarantee
The candidate covers
- •Own travel costs (flight/journey to Germany)
- •Personal documents (passport, police clearance)
- •Health check in home country
You as employer
- •Employment contract (we provide the template)
- •Support with accommodation search (recommended)
- •Onboarding plan and mentorship on-site
- •Authority fees for visa/recognition (communicated transparently upfront)
ROI calculation: When the investment pays off
A qualified skilled worker generates an average contribution margin of €4,000–5,000 per month. With our fixed-price model, the placement typically pays for itself within a few months. Add the cost of lost orders you couldn't accept without staff — these often exceed the placement fee many times over.
The placement fee is tax-deductible as a business expense. Additionally, you can apply for subsidies (wage cost subsidies, training cost reimbursement) through the Federal Employment Agency — we support you with the application.
Request a fixed-price quote
Get a concrete offer for your needs — no hidden costs.
Request Workers NowResponse within 24 hours · No obligation · Via WhatsApp
How long does the process take?
| Origin | Duration | Why |
|---|---|---|
| EU skilled workers (e.g. Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria) | 4–6 weeks | Freedom of movement — no visa required. Only candidate search, screening and travel. |
| Western Balkans regulation (Serbia, Bosnia, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro) | 4–7 months | Visa, Federal Employment Agency approval and possibly recognition procedure required. Embassy processing time is the biggest factor. |
| Skilled immigration §18a/§19c AufenthG | 5–9 months | Recognition procedure + visa. Complex process, but the best route for qualified workers with recognized qualifications. |
What influences the process:
This speeds up the process
- Quick feedback on candidate profiles (within 48h)
- Complete employer documents (business registration, trade register, job description)
- Accelerated skilled worker procedure (§81a AufenthG) — reduces authority processing to 4 weeks
- Clear requirements in the skilled worker check
This delays the process
- Slow response to candidate proposals
- Incomplete employer documents
- Overloaded embassies (esp. embassies in Pristina, Sarajevo)
- Additional requests from immigration authorities
Important: The processing time of the embassy/consulate is the factor we can influence least. We track the status in real-time via the BAUPROS customer portal — but we can't make the embassy faster. Anyone promising you 4 weeks for a third-country visa is lying.
The recruitment process step by step
From your first inquiry to the skilled worker on your construction site — transparent and plannable.
Complete the skilled worker check (60 seconds)
What we do:
- •You fill out the short requirements check
- •We receive your requirements and framework conditions
What you do:
- •Complete the skilled worker check
Free needs analysis with Alex Underberg (15 min video call)
What we do:
- •Honest assessment whether we can help
- •Clarification: What qualification, language level, when
What you do:
- •Join the video call
- •Define your minimum requirements
Receive candidate profiles (within 48h)
What we do:
- •Matching from our pre-qualified pool
- •Compile 2–4 matching candidate profiles
What you do:
- •Review profiles
Select candidate and sign employment contract
What we do:
- •Organize video call with candidates of your choice
- •Provide employment contract template
What you do:
- •Conduct interviews
- •Make decision
- •Sign employment contract
BAUPROS handles visa, documents, authorities
What we do:
- •Prepare all documents
- •Handle complete visa application
- •Coordinate with authorities (BA, ABH, HWK, ZAB)
What you do:
- •Grant power of attorney
Live tracking via BAUPROS customer portal
What we do:
- •Real-time status updates
- •Proactive communication on delays
Skilled worker arrives at your construction site
What we do:
- •Coordinate arrival
- •Support with registration, bank account, etc.
What you do:
- •Accommodation for the first weeks
- •Prepare onboarding
Onboarding with mentorship model
What we do:
- •Check-ins after 30, 60, 90, 180 days
- •Contact person for problems
- •Mediation in conflicts
What you do:
- •Assign experienced journeyman/master as mentor
Ready to start the process?
Send us a quick note about your needs — we'll respond with candidate profiles.
Request Workers NowResponse within 24 hours · No obligation · Via WhatsApp
How we screen your future employees
Every candidate goes through a multi-stage screening process before you see the first profile.
Qualification verification
- •Verification of training certificates
- •Work references and references
- •Cross-check with professional registers in home country
Professional experience
- •Minimum 2 years of verifiable practice
- •In the relevant trade
- •Verification with previous employers
German certificate
- •A2 level (Goethe, telc or ÖSD)
- •Verified before arrival
- •Oral + written examination
Video interview
- •Technical conversation
- •Assessment of communication skills
- •Practical scenarios and technical questions
Reference check
- •Contacting previous employers (where possible)
- •Standardized questions: punctuality, quality, teamwork
- •Verify employment history
Document review
- •Completeness of all required documents
- •Authenticity verification
- •Preparation for authorities and employer
Why we screen so thoroughly
Every failed placement costs you time, money and trust. That's why we prefer to invest more time in pre-screening rather than less. Our goal is not to place as many candidates as possible — but the right ones. If we can't find a suitable candidate, we'll tell you — instead of sending an unsuitable one.
Legal pathways to Germany
Depending on origin and qualification, different legal frameworks apply for employing international skilled workers.
EU Freedom of Movement
For nationals of EU member states. No visa, no permit required. Immediately authorized to work.
Countries: Poland, Romania, Croatia, Bulgaria, etc.
Western Balkans Regulation (§26 Para. 2 BeschV)
For nationals of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. Access to any employment with Federal Employment Agency approval. Annual quota: 50,000 approvals per year.
Quota: 50,000 per year nationwide
Countries: Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Bosnia, Albania, Montenegro
Skilled Immigration Act (§18a / §19c AufenthG)
For skilled workers with recognized qualification (§18a) or qualified professional experience (§19c Para. 2). Requires recognition procedure.
Countries: All third countries
§16d Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications
Paragraph 1: For measures to recognize foreign professional qualifications. Paragraph 3 – Recognition Partnership: The person can enter Germany even without a recognition application filed yet. The application must be submitted within one year of entry.
Countries: All third countries
What does recognition mean?
Recognition examines whether a professional qualification acquired abroad is equivalent to the German reference occupation. The responsible body (usually the Chamber of Crafts) compares training content and professional experience. The result can be: full equivalence, partial equivalence (with conditions), or no equivalence.
Important: Not every pathway requires formal recognition. The Western Balkans regulation (§26 Para. 2 BeschV) allows employment without a recognition procedure — making it the fastest and most straightforward route for many companies. BAUPROS advises you on which pathway is right for your specific case.
Legal questions answered — request workers now
We handle visa, recognition, and authorities. You focus on your business.
Request Workers NowResponse within 24 hours · No obligation · Via WhatsApp
Frequently asked questions about the process
Still have questions? Talk to us directly.
Free feasibility check in 15 minutes. Non-binding. No sales pitch — just an honest assessment of whether BAUPROS is right for your company.