Germany Issued 80,000 Work Visas in the First Half of 2024

Germany Issued 80,000 Work Visas in the First Half of 2024

Key Takeaways

1. Germany issued 80,000 work visas in the first half of 2024, with 50% allocated to skilled workers.
2. Key sectors experiencing shortages include transportation, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, engineering, and IT.
3. The German government has relaxed some immigration rules to attract more foreign workers.

Germany granted 80,000 work visas from January to June 2024, according to the Federal Foreign Office. Of these, 40,000 were for skilled workers, marking an increase of 3,000 compared to the same period in 2023.

This rise in visa issuance reflects ongoing labor shortages, particularly among skilled professionals. The 2023 EURES report highlights shortages in over 70 occupations across various sectors such as transportation, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, engineering, and IT.

Germany’s Labor Market Challenges

The German Economic Institute (IW) reports that Germany had 570,000 unfilled jobs in 2023, impacting the country's economy and production capabilities. The lost production potential is expected to reach €74 billion by 2027.

Looking ahead, the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) forecasts further increases in labor shortages. German Labor Minister Hubertus Heil has indicated that the country will need seven million additional workers by 2035.

Germany's Immigration Policy Adjustments

To address these challenges, Germany is planning to recruit skilled workers from India, with a new strategy to be discussed in German-Indian government consultations this autumn. This initiative is being developed in collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Foreign Office, Federal Ministry of Labor, and German businesses.

Additionally, Germany has doubled the annual work visas under the Western Balkans Regulation to 50,000, providing more opportunities for citizens from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

In June 2024, Germany also introduced the Opportunity Card to facilitate non-EU citizens seeking employment in Germany.

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