Skilled Migration Act
law on the immigration of skilled workers, which comes into force in 2023, makes it easier for skilled workers to enter Germany.
Blue Card: This gives university graduates the opportunity to work in Germany.
Opportunity Card: Applicants with a degree or relevant professional experience can work in Germany under more flexible conditions and search for a suitable position.
1. New Developments in the EU Blue Card
Salary limits have been lowered (Annual Gross Salary
Threshold):General Professions: ~€48,300.00 per year
Shortage/Urgency Professions, Recent Graduates, and IT Specialists: ~€43,759.80 per year
Eligible groups have been expanded:
Recent graduates (those who graduated from university in the last 3 years)
IT specialists with at least 3 years of experience (no diploma required)
New additions to the list of shortage occupations:
Mining, construction, and logistics managers
IT/communications managers
Childcare and healthcare managers
Veterinarians, dentists, pharmacists
Nurses, midwives, teachers/trainers
Short- and long-term travel freedom:
Blue Card holders from another EU country will be able to work in Germany for a short period of time.
Those who have lived in another EU country for 12 months will be able to move to Germany without a visa.
Family reunification has been made easier:
Family members who previously lived in another EU country can now move to Germany without a visa.
November 2, 2023 – Other Changes
Residence permit rights have been expanded: Skilled workers can now work in different fields, not just in their own profession.
Heavy vehicle & bus drivers: Employment conditions have been eased, and language requirements have been removed.
March 3, 2024 – New Regulations
Residence permit for professional recognition:
The period, which was previously 18 months, has been extended to 24 months (and can be extended up to 3 years).
The weekly working hours during vocational training have been increased to 20 hours.
Recognition Partnership:
An application for recognition can be made after arriving in Germany.
Requirements: Recognized diploma + German language proficiency at least at A2 level.
Entry for Competency Analysis:
Residence permit for up to 6 months for those wishing to undergo competency analysis in Germany.
Immigration based on professional experience:
Entry to Germany with at least a 2-year diploma + 2 years of work experience.
The experience requirement for IT specialists has been reduced from 3 years to 2 years.
No German language requirement.
Care workers:
Care workers with low-level education are now permitted to work in Germany.
Graduates and assistants will be able to obtain a work permit.
Residence permit facilitation:
Qualified workforce: Residence permit granted after 3 years instead of 4.
EU Blue Card holders: 27 months, or 21 months with German language proficiency at B1 level.
The housing requirement for family reunification has been removed.
June 4, 2024 – Opportunity Card and Other Innovations
Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte):
New residence permit (1 year) granted for job seeking purposes.
A minimum of 6 points must be accumulated (criteria: diploma, equivalence, language, work experience, age, connection to Germany, spouse’s immigration).
Requirements: Recognized diploma + at least A2 German and B2 English.
Up to 20 hours of work per week.
Western Balkans Regulation:
Citizens of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia can work in any field in Germany.
An annual quota of 50,000 has been set.
5. Regulations for Students and Apprentices
University students: Working hours have been increased from 120 days to 140 days (or 20 hours per week).
Those in university preparatory programs are also eligible to work.
Those seeking vocational training:
The age limit has been raised from 25 to 35.
Language requirement: B2.
The maximum residence period has been extended from 6 months to 9 months.
Apprentices undergoing vocational training may work up to 20 hours per week in a part-time job.
6. Short-Term Employment (Quota System)
Citizens of third countries will be able to work in short-term jobs without any professional qualifications.
Conditions:
The employer must be bound by a collective agreement,
Travel expenses must be covered by the employer,
The working period must not exceed 8 months per year,
A minimum of 30 hours of work per week.
Summary
The new Skilled Immigration Act offers much more flexibility and opportunities for those who want to work in Germany:
- The Blue Card has been expanded.
- The Opportunity Card has made it possible to search for jobs.
- Immigration based on equivalence has been made easier.
- New opportunities have arisen in areas such as IT, healthcare, logistics, and education.
- Work permits for students and apprentices have been expanded.