Germany’s second stage of the Skilled Worker Immigration Law has come into force today, on March 1, 2024, opening the way for many skilled foreign workers to settle in the country and work in their field of expertise.
While the first stage was introduced on November 2023, and mainly included facilitation for the “EU Blue Card” and for recognised skilled workers, the new stage brings numerous changes, including making it possible to come to Germany for work for foreigners with two years of professional experience and a professional or university degree.
The third stage of the law will come into effect months later this year, on June 1, 2024, and will amongst other, introduce the job search opportunity card, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
Commenting on the new phase that became effective today, the Federal Minister of the Interior and Homeland, Nancy Faeser said that through the same, Germany will make sure to attract the workers its economy urgently needs.
*We know that skilled workers and workers are necessary for our future viability and the prosperity of our country. We are reducing bureaucratic hurdles and making Germany more attractive for foreign skilled workers – for example in nursing, where we need a lot of staff.
Minister of Interior, Nancy Faeser
In November last year, Reuters had reported that 1.8 million jobs remain unfilled in the German economy as a whole. Whereas an analysis conducted by the German Economic Institute has predicted that the shortage of skilled workers in the industry renewable energy alone will reach 300,000 by 2030.
Foreigners Eligible to Work With 2 Years of Experience & a degree
One of the most important facilitations that the new law creates is enabling people who have two and more years of experience in their field along with a professional or university degree recognised by their country of origin, to move to Germany and get employed in that field.
Other conditions must be met too, including meeting a salary threshold. The change intends to create shorter procedures by eliminating several bureaucracies.
At the same time, skilled workers will be eligible to bring their parent to Germany too. They will also no longer have to provide proof of sufficient living space, when brining their spouse and children over.
Easier Labour Market Access for Care Sector Workers
Recognition of qualifications will still be required for some specific sectors, like health and nursing professions. However, the same can start the recognition process after they arrive in Germany, and not from their home country, as it has been before.
At the same time, non-EU nurses with less than three years of regulated nursing training will be able to work in the health and care sector.
In December 2023, SchengenVisaInfo.com had reported that Germany would need around 150,000 additional nursing staff by 2025 in order to be able to respond to the demand for health care. The country has introduced several strategies and agreements to attract this essential staff, in particular from countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Brazil is another target country for Germany, as the first is asserted to have around 2.5 million nurses, while its unemployment rate stood at 7.8 per cent in 2023.
Making It Easier for Students to Get Employed
Students will also benefit from the second phase of the Skilled Worker Immigration Law, as they will now be allowed to do part-time jobs. They will also be given more time in order to complete the procedures of having their professional qualifications recognised.
Amongst others, the annual working time account of 120 full days or 240 half days will be increased to 140 full days or 280 half days. Or, alternatively, students will be able to work for up to 20 hours per week. At the same time, getting a second job of up to 20 hours per week will be possible for all apprenticeships
According to data by studying-in-germany.org, there were 458,210 international students in Germany at the beginning of the academic year 2022/2023. A large share of them come from developing countries, and often are their studies are sponsored by parents and small scholarships. The possibility to work would enable them to cover a portion of their expenses by themselves.
25,000 Foreign Workers to Be Hired for Short-Term Employment in 2024
In order to tackle short-term labour shortages, the new changes in the skilled migration law will permit employers to hires 25,000 foreign workers in 2024.
Foreigners will be able to work for up to eight months in Germany under such an arrangement. In such cases, the working week should be at least 30 hours, and the employer must pay all necessary travel expenses in full.
