Trusted by 35+ SMEs

Trainees. Specialists.

Fair recruitment

They are staying.

Stronger teams

Traditional international recruiting fills positions. We focus on building long-term careers. The result: employees who understand your culture before they arrive, become productive faster, and stay significantly longer than the industry average.

Discover our process

96%

Retention rate

96%

Retention rate

€12,000

Average savings

€12,000

Average savings

8-12

Weeks adjustment period

8-12

Weeks adjustment period

The true cost of bad settings

When hiring is faster
than preparation

Many international placements fail because the foundation is missing. When candidates arrive without sufficient language skills, without cultural understanding, or with the wrong expectations, you pay the price: high turnover, lost productivity, and teams that never get a chance to settle.

Endless recruiting cycles

You hire someone, and they quit within six months. The cycle starts all over again. Your team never stabilizes, and operational efficiency suffers.

€8,000 per mis-hire

Endless recruiting cycles

You hire someone, and they quit within six months. The cycle starts all over again. Your team never stabilizes, and operational efficiency suffers.

€8,000 per mis-hire

Endless recruiting cycles

You hire someone, and they quit within six months. The cycle starts all over again. Your team never stabilizes, and operational efficiency suffers.

€8,000 per mis-hire

Cultural misalignment

International talent arrives unprepared in German work culture. Expectations clash, frustration rises—and they leave.

3–6 months of productivity loss

Cultural misalignment

International talent arrives unprepared in German work culture. Expectations clash, frustration rises—and they leave.

3–6 months of productivity loss

Cultural misalignment

International talent arrives unprepared in German work culture. Expectations clash, frustration rises—and they leave.

3–6 months of productivity loss

Paperwork nightmares

Visa hurdles, slow recognition procedures, and compliance requirements consume your HR resources and delay processes.

90+ hours of HR effort

Paperwork nightmares

Visa hurdles, slow recognition procedures, and compliance requirements consume your HR resources and delay processes.

90+ hours of HR effort

Paperwork nightmares

Visa hurdles, slow recognition procedures, and compliance requirements consume your HR resources and delay processes.

90+ hours of HR effort

Failed team integration

New employees can’t find their footing, the existing team is annoyed, and the working atmosphere suffers greatly.

Barely measurable team workload

Failed team integration

New employees can’t find their footing, the existing team is annoyed, and the working atmosphere suffers greatly.

Barely measurable team workload

Failed team integration

New employees can’t find their footing, the existing team is annoyed, and the working atmosphere suffers greatly.

Barely measurable team workload

The hidden costs

An average German SME loses around €24,000 annually due to failed international hires (recruitment costs, onboarding, productivity losses, and team downtime).

Source: DIHK Report 2025

The hidden costs

An average German SME loses around €24,000 annually due to failed international hires (recruitment costs, onboarding, productivity losses, and team downtime).

Source: DIHK Report 2025

The hidden costs

An average German SME loses around €24,000 annually due to failed international hires (recruitment costs, onboarding, productivity losses, and team downtime).

Source: DIHK Report 2025

The Alma Difference

Why our hires stay

High retention rates do not happen by chance. We make deliberate decisions at every stage, during selection, throughout the transition, and long after arrival.

96% retention rate after the first year

Rigorous pre-departure preparation

We invest 6 to 12 months in preparing the talent: German up to B1/B2, cultural immersion, professional basics, and a realistic picture of everyday working life. This means that from day one, both sides are on the same page.

96% retention rate after the first year

Rigorous pre-departure preparation

96% retention rate after the first year

Rigorous pre-departure preparation

100% visa and recognition success

Complete Compliance Management

We handle visa processes, professional recognition, and the entire legal framework. Your HR team can focus on day-to-day operations while we manage the complexities of immigration.

100% visa and recognition success

Complete Compliance Management

We handle visa processes, professional recognition, and the entire legal framework. Your HR team can focus on day-to-day operations while we manage the complexities of immigration.

100% visa and recognition success

Complete Compliance Management

We handle visa processes, professional recognition, and the entire legal framework. Your HR team can focus on day-to-day operations while we manage the complexities of immigration.

87% reported no integration issues after 6 months

Cultural fit assessment 

We evaluate not only professional skills, but also specifically work ethic, adaptability, and long-term motivation. We match candidates to your team culture, because long-term retention takes more than just good references.

87% reported no integration issues after 6 months

Cultural fit assessment 

87% reported no integration issues after 6 months

Cultural fit assessment 

100% employer satisfaction with work ethic

Ongoing aftercare support

Post-arrival support for both employee and employer, including cultural coaching, conflict resolution, performance check-ins, and practical guidance on daily life in Germany. This continues for 12 months to ensure long-term success.

100% employer satisfaction with work ethic

Ongoing aftercare support

100% employer satisfaction with work ethic

Ongoing aftercare support

The ROI is Clear

Investing in thorough preparation pays off measurably. Our partners save an average of €12,000 per hire and achieve retention rates that are twice as high as the industry average. Because when someone is a true fit, they stay longer and start contributing faster.

€12,000

Avg. savings

8-12

Where to hire

35+

Partner SMEs

96%

Retention rate

Our employers' experiences

What our partners say

Employers who have relied on structured international recruitment and experienced the difference in retention, team stability, and workforce planning.

Moritz Braun
Owner Company
Moli Modo, Chemnitz
"I was really surprised by how well Alma understood what we actually need. Most recruitment processes feel like you are simply picking from a list. This was a real conversation about our team, our culture, and the kind of person who could genuinely grow here. The placement that followed reflected exactly that."
"A real match for our culture."
Tanja Steeb
Practice Manager
Dr. Dittmar & Kollegen, Esslingen
"My main job is to keep the practice running day to day. That becomes nearly impossible when you are short-staffed. Alma understood the urgency and placed four apprentices with us who were genuinely prepared for the job. They arrived ready to learn, not just physically present. They have been an incredible help in our daily work!"
"Apprentices who are actually prepared."
Dr. Senan Sofi
Dentist and Owner
Odonto MVZ
"The dental sector in Germany is facing a massive staffing problem, and I have already tried various approaches to solve it. Working with Alma has been by far the most reliable path so far. The intensive preparation they invest in before candidates even arrive is exactly what makes the difference between someone who stays for the long term and someone who leaves after three months."
"The most reliable solution to the staffing shortage."
Christopher Große
Owner
EDEKA Center Große, Erkner
"What impressed me the most was the aftercare. Alma did not just place people and then disappear. They stayed actively in contact, checked in regularly with both sides, and helped clear small hurdles before they turned into real problems. This ongoing partnership made the entire process completely straightforward for us."
"Not just a placement, but a real partnership."
Moritz Braun
Owner Company
Moli Modo, Chemnitz
"I was really surprised by how well Alma understood what we actually need. Most recruitment processes feel like you are simply picking from a list. This was a real conversation about our team, our culture, and the kind of person who could genuinely grow here. The placement that followed reflected exactly that."
"A real match for our culture."
Tanja Steeb
Practice Manager
Dr. Dittmar & Kollegen, Esslingen
"My main job is to keep the practice running day to day. That becomes nearly impossible when you are short-staffed. Alma understood the urgency and placed four apprentices with us who were genuinely prepared for the job. They arrived ready to learn, not just physically present. They have been an incredible help in our daily work!"
"Apprentices who are actually prepared."
Dr. Senan Sofi
Dentist and Owner
Odonto MVZ
"The dental sector in Germany is facing a massive staffing problem, and I have already tried various approaches to solve it. Working with Alma has been by far the most reliable path so far. The intensive preparation they invest in before candidates even arrive is exactly what makes the difference between someone who stays for the long term and someone who leaves after three months."
"The most reliable solution to the staffing shortage."
Christopher Große
Owner
EDEKA Center Große, Erkner
"What impressed me the most was the aftercare. Alma did not just place people and then disappear. They stayed actively in contact, checked in regularly with both sides, and helped clear small hurdles before they turned into real problems. This ongoing partnership made the entire process completely straightforward for us."
"Not just a placement, but a real partnership."

Moritz Braun
Inhaber Unternehmen
Moli Modo, Chemnitz
„Was mich am meisten beeindruckt hat, war die Nachbetreuung. Alma hat nicht einfach nur Leute vermittelt und ist dann von der Bildfläche verschwunden. Sie blieben aktiv in Kontakt, haben sich regelmäßig bei beiden Seiten erkundigt und geholfen, kleine Hürden zu nehmen, bevor sie zu echten Problemen wurden. Diese fortlaufende Partnerschaft hat den gesamten Prozess für uns absolut unkompliziert gemacht.“
„Ein echtes Match für unsere Kultur.“
Tanja Steeb
Praxismanagerin
Dr. Dittmar & Kollegen, Esslingen
„Meine Hauptaufgabe ist es, den Praxisalltag am Laufen zu halten. Das wird nahezu unmöglich, wenn Personal fehlt. Alma hat diese Dringlichkeit verstanden und uns vier Auszubildende vermittelt, die wirklich auf ihren Einsatz vorbereitet waren. Sie kamen hier an und waren sofort bereit zu lernen, nicht nur physisch anwesend. Sie sind im Arbeitsalltag eine unglaubliche Hilfe für uns!“
„Auszubildende, die wirklich vorbereitet sind.“
Dr. Senan Sofi
Zahnarzt und Inhaber
Odonto MVZ
„Die Dentalbranche in Deutschland steht vor einem massiven Personalproblem, und ich habe bereits verschiedene Ansätze ausprobiert, um es zu lösen. Die Zusammenarbeit mit Alma war dabei bisher der mit Abstand verlässlichste Weg. Die intensive Vorbereitung, die sie investieren, bevor die Kandidaten überhaupt ankommen, macht genau den Unterschied aus zwischen jemandem, der langfristig bleibt, und jemandem, der nach drei Monaten wieder geht.“
„Der verlässlichste Weg gegen den Personalmangel.“
Christopher Große
Inhaber Unternehmen
EDEKA Center Große, Erkner
„Was mich am meisten beeindruckt hat, war die Nachbetreuung. Alma hat nicht einfach nur Leute vermittelt und ist dann von der Bildfläche verschwunden. Sie blieben aktiv in Kontakt, haben sich regelmäßig bei beiden Seiten erkundigt und geholfen, kleine Hürden zu nehmen, bevor sie zu echten Problemen wurden. Diese fortlaufende Partnerschaft hat den gesamten Prozess für uns absolut unkompliziert gemacht.“
„Keine bloße Vermittlung, sondern echte Partnerschaft.“
Moritz Braun
Inhaber Unternehmen
Moli Modo, Chemnitz
„Was mich am meisten beeindruckt hat, war die Nachbetreuung. Alma hat nicht einfach nur Leute vermittelt und ist dann von der Bildfläche verschwunden. Sie blieben aktiv in Kontakt, haben sich regelmäßig bei beiden Seiten erkundigt und geholfen, kleine Hürden zu nehmen, bevor sie zu echten Problemen wurden. Diese fortlaufende Partnerschaft hat den gesamten Prozess für uns absolut unkompliziert gemacht.“
„Ein echtes Match für unsere Kultur.“

Moritz Braun
Inhaber Unternehmen
Moli Modo, Chemnitz
„Was mich am meisten beeindruckt hat, war die Nachbetreuung. Alma hat nicht einfach nur Leute vermittelt und ist dann von der Bildfläche verschwunden. Sie blieben aktiv in Kontakt, haben sich regelmäßig bei beiden Seiten erkundigt und geholfen, kleine Hürden zu nehmen, bevor sie zu echten Problemen wurden. Diese fortlaufende Partnerschaft hat den gesamten Prozess für uns absolut unkompliziert gemacht.“
„Ein echtes Match für unsere Kultur.“
Tanja Steeb
Praxismanagerin
Dr. Dittmar & Kollegen, Esslingen
„Meine Hauptaufgabe ist es, den Praxisalltag am Laufen zu halten. Das wird nahezu unmöglich, wenn Personal fehlt. Alma hat diese Dringlichkeit verstanden und uns vier Auszubildende vermittelt, die wirklich auf ihren Einsatz vorbereitet waren. Sie kamen hier an und waren sofort bereit zu lernen, nicht nur physisch anwesend. Sie sind im Arbeitsalltag eine unglaubliche Hilfe für uns!“
„Auszubildende, die wirklich vorbereitet sind.“
Dr. Senan Sofi
Zahnarzt und Inhaber
Odonto MVZ
„Die Dentalbranche in Deutschland steht vor einem massiven Personalproblem, und ich habe bereits verschiedene Ansätze ausprobiert, um es zu lösen. Die Zusammenarbeit mit Alma war dabei bisher der mit Abstand verlässlichste Weg. Die intensive Vorbereitung, die sie investieren, bevor die Kandidaten überhaupt ankommen, macht genau den Unterschied aus zwischen jemandem, der langfristig bleibt, und jemandem, der nach drei Monaten wieder geht.“
„Der verlässlichste Weg gegen den Personalmangel.“
Christopher Große
Inhaber Unternehmen
EDEKA Center Große, Erkner
„Was mich am meisten beeindruckt hat, war die Nachbetreuung. Alma hat nicht einfach nur Leute vermittelt und ist dann von der Bildfläche verschwunden. Sie blieben aktiv in Kontakt, haben sich regelmäßig bei beiden Seiten erkundigt und geholfen, kleine Hürden zu nehmen, bevor sie zu echten Problemen wurden. Diese fortlaufende Partnerschaft hat den gesamten Prozess für uns absolut unkompliziert gemacht.“
„Keine bloße Vermittlung, sondern echte Partnerschaft.“

Join over 35+ German SMEs,

that build stronger teams

From owner-managed businesses to regional retail chains. What our partners have in common: They hire once and don’t have to start looking again six months later.

Join over 35+ German SMEs,
that build stronger teams

From owner-managed businesses to regional retail chains. What our partners have in common: They hire once and don’t have to start looking again six months later.

Join over 35+ German SMEs,

that build stronger teams

From owner-managed businesses to regional retail chains. What our partners have in common: They hire once and don’t have to start looking again six months later.

The Fair Recruitment Blueprint

Transparent Process.
Predictable Workforce Outcomes.

Transparent processes. Predictable team development.

Good partnerships are built on clarity. From the initial consultation to 12 months of support, you always know what comes next and who is responsible.

Partnership-based consulting

1-2 weeks

Intensive Preparation

2–4 weeks

Long-term support

2 years

Selection & Suitability Assessment

1-3 weeks

Arrival & Onboarding

4-6 months

Partnership-based consulting

We take the time to understand your team, your requirements, and your culture. Every collaboration is individually tailored to your company, completely without standard templates.

1-2 weeks

Intensive Preparation

By this point, the talents have already been learning German for 6 to 12 months. Now the focus is entirely on cultural and industry-specific preparation so that they arrive ready to start work right away.

2–4 weeks

Long-term support

The first two years determine long-term employee retention. That’s why we stay proactive: with check-ins, coaching, and early help when obstacles arise.

2 years

Selection & Suitability Assessment

We filter before you see the first profile. Our talent already meets your professional and cultural criteria. Interviews become a real decision, not just a preselection.

1-3 weeks

Arrival & Onboarding

Visa processes, flights, errands to government offices. We manage the logistics. Your team can focus fully on welcoming new colleagues instead of filling out forms.

4-6 months

How Vietnamese apprentices perform in Germany

Once Vietnamese apprentices enter the system, a consistent pattern starts to show. They tend to leave less often and complete their training at higher rates compared to other international groups. Exam performance is also strong, close to the German level. You see it across both retention and performance, and it builds over time, not at the start.

For employers, that usually means fewer early exits, fewer roles that need to be filled again, and less pressure on teams to restart the same process. At the same time, this is happening at scale. With more than 16,000 new apprenticeship contracts each year, Vietnam is already a consistent part of the system rather than a one-off source.

Contract Termination Rate

(KALQ '20–'24)*

Average Success Rate

(Knowledge Exam) '20–'24

*KALQ = Cohort-adjusted termination rate (calibrated approximation of BIBB standard). Source: Analysis based on data from the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), https://www.bibb.de/de/1868.php

Shaping a secure future for labor migration

The founders of Alma are co-founders of VISLA, an international alliance for the safe and dignified labor migration of Vietnamese professionals.

Together with policymakers, researchers, and companies in Germany and Vietnam, we are working on better standards to stop exploitation and create migration pathways that protect talent and benefit employers.

The founders of Alma are co-founders of VISLA, an international alliance for the safe and dignified labor migration of Vietnamese professionals.

Learn more

Start building stronger teams today

If international recruiting is a topic for you, but you don't know how to get started, a conversation is the first step.

We will show you concretely what the process could look like for your company, what results are realistic, and whether this path makes sense for you before you commit.

Schedule a partnership meeting