This month, the first new regulations that aim to make it easier for foreign-skilled workers to emigrate to Germany will enter into force.
Taking into account the labour shortages that the country has been facing, the German government decided to reform the Skilled Immigration Act, which will become effective through different stages, with some changes entering into force this month and some others in 2024.
As the German government explains, the reform will reduce the legal hurdles for skilled workers with professional qualifications and university graduates who are not citizens of the EU.
The first part of Germany’s worker law will be adopted on November 18. With the implementation of the initial stage, nationals from third countries who have vocational qualifications or hold a university degree will be able to take on jobs in Germany without being subject to strict rules as before.
Moreover, the minimum salary requirements for the EU Blue Card will also be lowered starting this month. The EU Blue Card allows highly qualified professionals from non-EU countries to enter Germany for work purposes, and in line with the new law, it is expected that more professionals will choose Germany.
While only some parts of the law for foreign skilled workers will be adopted this November, the German authorities have stressed that next year, other obstacles will be further removed.
According to the German government, the obstacles to skilled workers who have practical professional experience will be reduced in March 2024.
Moreover, from June 2024, the so-called “Opportunity Card” will be introduced, thus enabling foreign skilled workers to look for a job in Germany.
When the Skilled Immigration Act reform was passed in the German Bundestag, the Minister of Interior Nancy Faeser said that Germany would have one of the most modern immigration laws in the world.
The changes were prompted by the large and immediate need for skilled workers from abroad. Data show that at the end of 2022, Germany was in need of about 1.98 million workers.
Taking into account the high number of workers needed in different sectors throughout Germany, the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said that it is important that the country attracts more skilled workers.
At the same time, Scholz noted that to be able to do this, Germany needs to have a more modern skilled immigration law and facilitate some of its existing rules.
We want skilled workers to come to Germany quickly and get started. We want to remove bureaucratic hurdles. – Chancellor Scholz
Minister Faeser also stressed that the country needs to continue making other changes and attract as many skilled workers as possible to deal with the ongoing labour shortage.
