From 1st June, citizens of the Western Balkans will benefit from new German regulations that simplify the process of obtaining employment without the need to prove professional qualifications. This marks the third phase of Germany’s Foreign Skilled Workers Immigration Act (FEG), aimed at attracting foreign skilled labour.
The updated law doubles the annual quota for workers from the region, allowing 50,000 citizens from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo*, North Macedonia, and Serbia to enter the German job market with fewer restrictions.
Originally extended from a 2016 law, the FEG provides entry to the German workforce, somewhat independently of formal qualifications, except for professions requiring certification like medical and care-related jobs.
Notably, the law now introduces a “chance card” for job seekers, based on a points system considering qualifications, language skills, work experience, ties to Germany, age, and accompanying family members.
Additionally, the third phase facilitates easier family reunification for foreign workers and ensures streamlined permit approvals from the German Federal Employment Agency, which can now be processed online. Once approved, workers can apply for residency and work visas at their local consulate.
This legislative change promises significant opportunities for skilled tradespeople in the Western Balkans, reinforcing Germany’s commitment to bolstering its labour market with international talent.
