Work Visa

The German Bundestag addressed the number of residence permits issued in 2025 and 2026 to foreign skilled workers with vocational training. The government provided a response to a parliamentary inquiry submitted by the AfD faction.

Skilled workers with recognized vocational qualifications play an important role in meeting Germany's skilled labour demands. Statistical data on issued residence permits provide an overview of skilled worker immigration in this employment category.

The collection and publication of these figures enables evidence-based discussion about the effectiveness of Germany's skilled worker recruitment policy and contributes to transparent information provision.

The German Federal Government has responded to a question from the Left party concerning the distinctive features of the East German labor market. The statement illuminates structural and economic characteristics that shape employment conditions in the new federal states.

Understanding the East German labor market situation is relevant for skilled professionals and employers exploring employment opportunities in this region. Differences in industry structure, skill demand, and regional development trends should be considered when planning work stays.

This information supports immigrants and their employers in making informed decisions regarding work visa applications and employment prospects in East Germany.

The AfD parliamentary group has submitted a parliamentary question regarding the Regional Program for Sub-Saharan Africa project. The program is part of Germany's economic cooperation and development assistance with African countries.

Such regional programs can affect migration patterns and skilled worker recruitment from the region. They often support economic development and can influence conditions for legal labor migration.

The inquiry seeks details on the scope and implementation of the program. This demonstrates political interest in shaping relations with sub-Saharan countries.

The Green Party faction has submitted a motion to the Bundestag to strengthen Germany's care provision system against potential crises. The motion addresses the need to prepare both home-based and institutional care for possible crisis scenarios.

Given the well-documented shortage of skilled care workers in Germany, structural reinforcement of the care sector is considered essential. The proposed measures aim to ensure that care structures become more resilient and crisis-resistant.

This motion reflects ongoing debates about securing qualified care personnel in Germany, including the recruitment of skilled workers from domestic and international sources.

The Corona Enquete Commission convened on Thursday to examine the pandemic's impact on the German labor market. The discussion focused on consequences for employment, social security systems, and particularly care work.

The pandemic has triggered significant transformations in the workplace. Care work, including nursing and healthcare, experienced substantial strain and continues to face skilled worker shortages.

The Enquete Commission's findings contribute to a comprehensive analysis of how Germany can reshape its labor market in the post-pandemic era and what measures are necessary to recruit and retain skilled professionals in care and healthcare sectors.

On 10 June 2026, representatives of the governing coalition parties, business associations, and trade unions met at the Federal Chancellery. The meeting served to exchange views on current challenges and perspectives in the field of skilled worker recruitment and labour market integration.

Leading representatives from politics, business, and employee organisations participated in the discussion to jointly develop solutions for meeting Germany's skilled worker requirements.

The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to developing forward-looking policies that address both the needs of the economy and the interests of workers.

The Federal Government and the Länder have adopted a Federal Modernization Agenda aimed at creating a leaner, faster, and more digital state. At an event in Berlin, initial measures to increase efficiency and reduce bureaucracy were presented.

The modernization initiative seeks to simplify and accelerate government processes. This also has implications for immigration procedures, recognition of professional qualifications, and integration services, where digitalization can lead to shorter processing times and improved citizen engagement.

The measures implemented so far demonstrate that federal cooperation on modernization is producing concrete results. Further developments are expected.

Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visited the Goethe-Institut in Mexico City and acknowledged its crucial role in facilitating skilled worker immigration to Germany. The visit, accompanied by Goethe-Institut President Gesche Joost, coincided with the institution's 60th anniversary in Mexico.

The visit focused on direct engagement with young Mexican professionals participating in the Goethe-Institut's skilled worker programs. These initiatives prepare qualified workers for vocational training or employment in Germany and support the recruitment of skilled professionals to the German labor market.

The Martin Roth Initiative, one of the world's largest protection programs for endangered artists and cultural professionals, was also recognized during the visit. The Mexico City Goethe-Institut, the third-largest globally, serves as a regional hub for German culture and language across Central America and Mexico.

The final report by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Climate Changes Work, examines the impacts of climate change on health, safety, and productivity in the workplace. The report presents findings and develops recommendations for modern occupational safety standards.

Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and environmental changes are increasingly affecting working conditions across Germany. Employees in outdoor work, agriculture, construction, and other exposed sectors face new health risks due to these climate-related challenges.

The report's findings serve as a foundation for employers, authorities, and social partners to develop preventive measures and adapt occupational safety standards to address the emerging challenges posed by climate change.

The German Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has published the final report Climate Changes Work - How Occupational Safety Can Address Climate Change Challenges. The report examines the effects of climate change on worker health, safety, and productivity in Germany.

The report presents concrete recommendations on how occupational safety regulations can respond to mounting climate-related challenges. This includes measures to protect workers from heat stress, extreme weather events, and other climate-induced workplace risks.

For skilled workers and employees seeking employment in Germany, understanding these new standards is important. Employers are expected to implement adapted protective measures to ensure safe and healthy working conditions.

Federal Labor Minister Bärbel Bas opened the second Regional Skilled Worker Workshop (Regionale Fachkräftewerkstatt). The event took place at the Städtische Seniorenheime Dortmund gGmbH and brought together approximately 100 representatives from business, science, and politics.

These regional workshops serve to network key stakeholders in skilled worker recruitment and integration. They facilitate exchange between companies, educational institutions, and government agencies to develop strategic solutions addressing Germany's skilled worker shortage.

Federal Labor Minister Bärbel Bas opened the second Regional Skilled Worker Workshop at the Städtische Seniorenheime Dortmund gGmbH facility at Tiefenbach. Nearly 100 representatives from business, science, and politics attended the event.

The Regional Skilled Worker Workshops are part of Germany's strategy to secure skilled workers. They provide a platform for dialogue among various stakeholders and support local solutions to address the skilled worker shortage.

Such initiatives help companies and organizations attract and integrate skilled professionals while taking into account regional factors in recruitment strategies.

In May 2026, a total of 2.95 million people were unemployed in Germany. The unemployment rate decreased by 0.1 percentage points compared to April 2026 and now stands at 6.3 percent.

This development reflects a stable labour market with rising employment subject to social insurance contributions. For skilled workers from abroad, the German labour market remains attractive and continues to offer good employment prospects.

In May 2026, a total of 2.95 million people were unemployed in Germany. The unemployment rate stands at 6.3 percent, declining by 0.1 percentage points compared to April.

This development demonstrates a continued stable employment situation on the German labour market. The increase in socially insured employment underscores demand for skilled workers across various sectors.

For skilled professionals from both domestic and international backgrounds, this situation presents favourable prospects on the German job market.

The German Federal Cabinet has passed the 7th amendment to the Occupational Diseases Regulation (Berufskrankheiten-Verordnung). This amendment officially adds Parkinson's disease caused by occupational pesticide exposure to the list of recognised occupational diseases.

This recognition is particularly relevant for employees in agriculture and related sectors who are regularly exposed to pesticides. Inclusion on the occupational diseases list means that affected workers may be entitled to benefits from the German employers' liability insurance associations (Berufsgenossenschaften) and accident insurance providers.

The federal government has published roadmaps with concrete objectives and milestones for key technologies to strengthen Germany's economic power, competitiveness, and technological sovereignty. These roadmaps were developed in cooperation with business, science, and the federal states.

The Hightech Agenda Germany is a strategic program to secure technological leadership in critical sectors. The published roadmaps now define concrete implementation steps and milestones for the coming years.

For skilled workers and employers, these developments are relevant as they reflect the demand for highly qualified employees in high-tech industries and create corresponding opportunities for work visas and skilled worker recruitment.

From May 13 to 15, 2026, German Federal Labor Minister Bärbel Bas traveled to Turkey at the invitation of her Turkish counterpart Vedat Işıkhan. In addition to meetings in the capital Ankara, the Minister also visited the city of Gaziantep.

During her visit, Minister Bas met with representatives of the German-Turkish Economic Association TIAD e.V. The visit underscores the historically established relationship between Germany and Turkey in the fields of labor and economics, and serves to exchange views on current labor market policy issues and bilateral cooperation.

With the Digital Identities Act, the German Federal Government is establishing the legal foundation for the introduction of the EUDI-Wallet in Germany. The digital European wallet will enable citizens and immigrants to identify themselves reliably and securely online.

This new technology allows users to store their identity data and documents digitally and share them securely when needed. For immigration and professional recognition processes, this may simplify identity verification and document submission procedures.

On 1 June 2024 the third stage of the Skilled Immigration Act enters into force. Key points: (1) Western Balkans regulation (§ 26(2) BeschV): annual quota doubled from 25,000 to 50,000 persons; for the first time also applicable to Eastern Europeans from Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. (2) Short-term employment (§ 15a BeschV): fixed-term activities up to 9 months without recognition requirement. (3) Simplified entry for IT professionals without formal qualification, provided five years of professional experience is proven. This stage significantly expands the circle of eligible applicants compared to FEG 2023.

[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","text":"On 18 November 2023, Stage 1 of the reformed Skilled Immigration Act (FEG 2023) enters into force. Requirements for skilled workers with vocational training (§ 18a AufenthG) and academic qualifications (§ 18b AufenthG) are eased: professionals from countries with an equivalence determination can enter without individual recognition, provided a work contract exists. The accelerated skilled worker procedure (§ 81a AufenthG) is extended to additional visa categories. Stage 2 (Recognition Partnership, § 16d) follows on 1 March 2024, the Opportunity Card (§ 20a) on 1 June 2024."}]}

From 18 November 2023 the A1 language requirement is waived for spouses of all skilled workers with a recognised vocational or university qualification when joining them in Germany — no longer only for Blue Card holders. Spouses receive an unrestricted work permit together with the skilled worker visa. Additionally: the waiting period for independent residence rights is shortened from 3 years to 2 years (§ 31 AufenthG). This change replaced the differentiated rules from § 30 and § 31 AufenthG as amended in 2022.

The Skilled Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz) entered into force on 1 March 2020 and represents the most comprehensive reform of German labour migration law in decades. For the first time Germany systematically opens its labour market to qualified skilled workers from non-EU countries with recognised vocational training — not only academics. The priority check (preference for EU citizens) is abolished for workers in shortage occupations. New: § 16a AufenthG (vocational training visa), § 17 AufenthG (job search after training), expanded possibilities for recognition procedures from within Germany.