The German Minutes - December 9, 2025
🇩🇪 Recent changes to work permit rules for non-EU nationals
Germany has overhauled work permit rules for non‑EU nationals since late 2023, mainly through the new Skilled Immigration Act and related reforms. The changes broadly lower hurdles for qualified workers, widen who is eligible, and add new routes like the Opportunity Card.
New Skilled Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz)
Germany’s reformed Skilled Immigration Act, rolled out in stages from November 2023 to June 2024, is now the central framework for non‑EU skilled workers. It increases flexibility in how qualifications and experience are recognised and creates more favourable conditions for labour migration in both academic and vocational professions.
Key points:
Skilled workers with vocational training or a university degree now have a legal entitlement to a residence permit if they meet all conditions, instead of relying on discretionary decisions.
The previous strict rule that you may only work in jobs directly tied to your formal qualification has been largely removed for non‑regulated professions, meaning more freedom to change roles and sectors.
Easier EU Blue Card rules
The EU Blue Card rules have been significantly relaxed, especially since late 2023, to attract more non‑EU professionals. This includes lower salary thresholds, broader eligible occupations, and more flexible contract and mobility conditions.
Key points:
Salary thresholds have been reduced, and shortage occupations (e.g. IT, health) have a lower minimum salary than general roles.
A shorter minimum employment contract duration (around six months instead of 12) is now enough to qualify for an EU Blue Card.
IT specialists can in many cases obtain a Blue Card based on several years of relevant experience without a traditional university degree.
Changing employers and bringing family members has been made easier; family reunification conditions and intra‑EU mobility for Blue Card holders have been improved.
New “Opportunity Card” (Chancenkarte) job‑seeker route
From June 2024, Germany introduced the Opportunity Card, a points‑based job‑seeker residence permit for non‑EU nationals with skills but without a job offer. It is designed to let people come first, then search for work on the ground.
Key points:
The Opportunity Card allows entry and stay in Germany (typically up to one year, often extendable) to look for qualified employment.
Applicants collect points based on qualifications, work experience, language skills (German or English), age and other criteria, and must reach a minimum score.
Limited part‑time work (around 20 hours per week) and trial employment are usually allowed while job hunting, making it easier to support yourself and test roles.
Work based on professional experience (even without German recognition)
A major innovation is that non‑EU professionals can in more cases work in non‑regulated professions even if their foreign qualification is not formally recognised in Germany, as long as they have substantial experience. This opens doors for many who previously got stuck in recognition procedures.
Key points:
At least two years of relevant professional experience and a vocational or university degree that is state‑recognised in the country of origin can be enough, without German recognition, for many non‑regulated jobs.
Employers must usually offer a salary meeting specific thresholds or follow a collective agreement to use this route.
Expanded Western Balkans regulation
The “Western Balkans regulation” for nationals of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia has been made permanent and expanded. It now plays a major role as a general work route for people from that region.
Key points:
The scheme, originally time‑limited, has been extended indefinitely and from June 2024 the annual quota has doubled from 25,000 to 50,000 approvals via the Federal Employment Agency.
It allows employment in almost any non‑regulated occupation, even without German recognition of qualifications; employers can apply for pre‑approval online.
Simplified rules for professional drivers
Rules for hiring professional drivers from non‑EU countries have been simplified to tackle labour shortages in logistics and transport. This is one of the few occupation‑specific relaxations.
Key points:
The Federal Employment Agency no longer checks for possession of an EU/EEA driving licence or the initial professional qualification at the approval stage.
The priority check (whether a suitable candidate is already available in Germany/EU) and language requirements have been dropped for this group, speeding up work permit approval.
More digital and streamlined procedures (2025)
Recent practice‑oriented guidance highlights that work permit procedures are increasingly digital and standardised, especially from 2025 onward. This affects how non‑EU nationals and employers submit applications rather than the legal basis itself.
Key points:
For key permit types (EU Blue Card, skilled worker residence, researcher permits and similar), online application channels via local immigration authorities are being rolled out, with digital document submission and status tracking.
The government reports a sharp rise in the number of skilled‑worker visas issued since the reform, indicating that authorities are adapting processes to handle more applications under the new rules.