With its well-established immigration system on one side and infamous bureaucracy on the other, Germany has positioned itself among the most sought-after AND challenging destinations for relocation in Europe, especially for job search and employment purposes. Current procedures are aimed at aligning migration patterns with Germany’s economic and social demands and vary greatly by region due to the decentralized nature of the country’s administration. Adding to the mix, there is a variety of visa categories, each one with its unique criteria and procedures, a language requirement for most visas, and a complex third-party validation process for overseas qualifications. Unsurprisingly, this leaves many applicants frustrated and, in individual cases, may potentially affect their overall decision to pursue employment in the country.
Not to panic – there is good news for talents considering relocation to Germany. The government is currently working on new migration laws coming into effect on March 1, 2024, that will grant skilled workers faster and easier access to the German labor market. The key goals of the updates are:
- attracting foreign specialists to the national IT sector, innovative and digital industries
- opening up to a broader spectrum of qualified professionals from various fields
- introducing The Opportunity Card, a new type of visa that will grant work and residence permits to non-EU citizens under the age of 35 with university degrees or vocational training based on their qualifications and previous work experience
- simplifying the procedure for asylum seekers who entered the country before March 29, 2023, and wish to transition to a skilled worker status
An IT specialist? Here is how you can benefit from the new German immigration law
In its race to keep up with the global digital transformation, Germany is experiencing a pressing need for IT professionals. The current demand outpaces the domestic supply, thus creating a vibrant market for overseas talent.
Entering Germany for the purpose of employment in IT was and still remains specifically possible via the EU Blue Card, while the newly introduced changes lower the salary threshold and minimum required experience for applicants. Another important update is that candidates will no longer be expected to prove their knowledge of the German language – this means lifting a major burden off the shoulders of young professionals in a highly globalized, English-dominated industry.
Relocation to Germany: what about specialists in other fields?
The new policies will make permanent employment in / relocation to Germany easier for any skilled professionals with university degrees. This includes foreign graduates of German universities as well as individuals holding degrees from abroad. For the latter group, a recognized degree from their home country along with a minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience is a must. This is another seminal change, as overseas degrees previously had to be verified by German authorities through a time-consuming process with many bureaucratic intricacies that could easily end up in a rejection.
The Opportunity Card: an immigration shortcut for the young generation
Germany’s nationwide thirst for bright minds is not limited to professionals seeking employment in the fields which require a university degree. The country introduces Chancenkarte, or The Opportunity Card, a point-based system for individuals with higher education OR vocational training. The system will be primarily targeted at non-EU citizens under 35 years old and will grant the right to a 1-year, renewable residence permit in Germany. The eligibility criteria for candidates will include the amount of professional experience, knowledge of German and English, previous residential history in Germany, a partner’s or spouse’s employment potential, and the ability to finance their stay during the job-seeking phase. With the lowered benchmark at A1 for German and B2 for English, The Opportunity Card will make it significantly easier to meet the language requirements compared to current practices.
Integration opportunities for asylum seekers
Every year, Germany accepts a large number of individuals fleeing wars, political persecution, and other forms of violence in their home countries. Currently, the main challenge for asylum seekers is to obtain a work and residence permit, to further enter a skilled labor market, and to professionally integrate themselves into the new community.
To facilitate this transition, Germany will allow asylum seekers with relevant qualifications and an offer from a local employer to acquire the permit through a new simplified procedure. The update, however, will only concern individuals who entered Germany before March 29, 2023.
Considering relocation to Germany?
Despite the lawmakers’ efforts to simplify and streamline the processes, Germany will yet remain a comparatively demanding country in terms of work-related immigration and relocation. Typical challenges still include managing voluminous paperwork and traditional mail communication with the authorities, engaging your employer in the bureaucratic procedures, acquainting with and adapting to the intricacies of the German tax system, and many more.
Luckily, there is an alternative solution: entrust the process to professionals. As an experienced Employer of Record provider, we at Acvian adapt fast to everchanging migration and labor laws worldwide and ensure a fast, smooth and fully compliant relocation process to hired professionals.
As your EOR partner, Acvian covers all aspects of relocation, enabling your employees to embark on a new path in Germany stress-free. We provided assistance to individuals and their employers alike at all stages of the process in line with our Business to People vision. You can reach out to us for a tailored solution – just submit your request here or schedule an immediate meeting.
