Labour migration in times of labour shortages , Date: 16/12/2025, format: EMN Germany Template, area: Authority , Study contribution by the German National Contact Point of the European Migration Network
EMN Template 2/2025

Source: BAMF

The German contribution to the EMN-OECD study on labour migration in times of labour shortages focuses on the legal and political framework conditions and initiatives for attracting workers from third countries.

In order to overcome the shortage of skilled workers in a number of sectors in Germany, the current federal government is focusing not only on increasing the domestic labour force potential but also on labour migration from the EU and third countries.

Legal and political framework for labour migration

In recent years, various legal regulations have been created to facilitate and accelerate access to the German labour market for skilled workers from third countries. This is based on the German government's skilled labour strategy, which primarily aims to attract more (highly) qualified skilled workers, but also provides opportunities for people without qualified vocational qualifications.

Three-pillar model for skilled labour immigration

In the 'three-pillar model' (skilled labour pillar, experience pillar and potential pillar), the skilled labour pillar is the central element. According to this model, skilled workers with recognised vocational training or academic qualifications can, in principle, take up any qualified employment in non-regulated occupations and not, as was previously the case, only those for which their specific qualifications qualify them. The experience pillar creates expanded immigration opportunities for workers who do not have formal recognition of their qualifications in Germany but who have relevant professional experience. It is possible to enter the country for the purpose of having a foreign professional qualification recognised while simultaneously seeking employment. The potential pillar introduced the 'opportunity card', which further facilitates access to job searches in Germany for people without a job offer.

Practices and initiatives to attract international skilled workers to address labour shortages

In addition to introducing legal simplifications to attract skilled workers from third countries, both governmental and non-governmental actors are implementing projects and initiatives aimed at recruiting workers from specific countries of origin. The projects are designed to attract trainees and skilled workers from third countries to various occupations in Germany that are affected by labour shortages. However, these are mostly pilot projects with limited scope, whose labour market policy benefits lie primarily in testing recruitment, immigration and recognition processes. Particularly extensive experience has been gained in recent years in recruiting skilled workers for the nursing professions.

Remaining challenges

The current reforms of the Federal Government are seen by various experts as an important approach to further reducing the obstacles to higher labour migration to Germany. Nevertheless, challenges remain. For example, administrative processes need to be accelerated, particularly in the areas of visa issuance, the granting of residence title and the recognition of qualifications. The German government is addressing some of these challenges with measures to speed up administrative processes, e.g. through digitalisation.

Further scientific findings are needed to assess the extent to which the latest developments are having a positive impact on the level of labour migration.