The Number of Foreigners Permitted for Work in Norway, Slovakia, and Germany in 2024
Key Points:
- Norway plans to grant 6,000 residence permits to skilled foreign workers in 2024.
- Slovakia intends to issue approximately 7,000 national visas, catering to various categories of foreign workers.
- Germany aims to allocate a maximum of 25,000 work permits to foreigners this year, with an additional quota for citizens of Western Balkan countries.
In light of labor shortages in the EU/EEA, some countries are addressing workforce deficits and welcoming foreign workers. Although many countries within the EU/EEA require skilled and seasonal workers, only a few have disclosed their annual quotas for this year. Norway intends to issue up to 6,000 residence permits to skilled workers throughout the year, facilitating a simplified application process. Germany also plans to grant 25,000 permits for foreign workers, while Slovakia will issue national visas, with a set quota of 7,000. Expectations suggest that other EU countries will follow suit, issuing a substantial number of work permits or visas in the coming months. However, certain countries have opted against specific quotas, preferring to assess permits based on immediate demand.
Norway's Quota for Skilled Workers:
The Norwegian Ministry of Labor and Social Inclusion has announced that up to 6,000 residence permits will be granted for skilled workers in 2024. These permits will be issued under a simplified procedure, eliminating strict rules for eligible applicants. Norway, facing shortages in some sectors, aims to meet its labor needs by welcoming up to 6,000 skilled workers this year. While the streamlined process applies to skilled workers, Norway prioritizes filling positions with its own population or citizens of other EEA countries before considering foreign workers.
Slovakia's Visa Allocation:
In contrast to Norway, Slovakia has quotas for both skilled and highly qualified workers. The Slovak Ministry of Labor disclosed that the country will grant long-term visas to approximately 2,000 skilled workers this year. Additionally, 3,000 national visas will be allocated to highly qualified foreign workers. Furthermore, Slovakia has set aside 2,000 national visas for selected industrial professions, aiming to attract foreign workers to these sectors.
Germany's Work Permit Quota:
Germany has announced a maximum quota of 25,000 work permits for foreigners in 2024, with no general quotas for work visas. Additionally, from June 2024 onwards, Germany will introduce an annual quota of 50,000 approvals for nationals from Western Balkan countries, aiming to address labor shortages in various sectors.
Slovenia's Approach to Quotas:
Slovenia, unlike some EU/EEA countries, has not implemented quotas for foreign workers in over a decade. Instead, the country assesses labor needs and adopts controlled measures to hire foreigners, as per the Employment, Self-Employment, and Work of Foreigners Act.
Hungary's Limitation on Foreign Workers:
Hungary has opted to limit the number of work and residence permits issued to foreigners to 65,000 for 2024. Moreover, around 300 occupations are excluded from permitting foreign nationals to work in Hungary. This decision aims to prioritize Hungarian citizens for employment opportunities and only allow foreign workers when local labor is insufficient.