Germany Expands Work Visa Quota for Western Balkans Citizens: Doubling Access to Labour Market

In a significant development for citizens of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, Germany has announced an expansion of access to its labor market effective June 1, 2024, under the amended Western Balkans Regulation. The adjustment entails a doubling of the annual quota for work visas granted to nationals from these six countries, increasing the allotment to 50,000.

This decision reflects Germany's proactive approach to addressing labour shortages and tapping into the potential of skilled workers from the Western Balkans. The German Embassy in Sarajevo affirmed this decision, stating, "From June 2024, the annual quota will be increased to 50,000 issued approvals from the Federal Labour Agency."

Initially slated to expire by the end of 2023, the Western Balkans Regulation has been extended in light of the implementation of the new Skilled Immigration Act in Germany. While specific details regarding the revised regulations are pending, the German Embassy assured that comprehensive guidelines would be provided in due course. In the interim, visa appointments will continue to be allocated through the existing lottery system.

In anticipation of heightened demand for work visas, German authorities have introduced a monthly lottery system for appointment allocation. The next registration period for work visa appointments is set to open on May 7, 2024, and will run through May 14, 2024, offering citizens from the six countries a direct avenue to register without intermediaries.

Data from recent years underscores the growing importance of workers from the Western Balkans in Germany's labour market. By the end of 2023, approximately 76,000 individuals from these countries were employed in Germany under the Western Balkans Regulation, representing a notable 22 per cent increase from the previous year. Among them, Kosovo nationals constituted the largest group, with an estimated 20,000 workers contributing to various sectors of the German economy. With the regulation now enshrined in the new Skilled Immigration Act, Germany anticipates a sustained influx of skilled workers from the Western Balkans, underscoring the enduring partnership between these countries.

By fLEXI tEAM