NEW REGULATIONS

Lowered salary limits for the EU Blue Card in regular and bottleneck occupations. In the future, a minimum salary of 39,682.80 euros (2023) will apply to bottleneck occupations and young professionals. For all other professions, a minimum salary of 43,800.00 euros applies.

From 18 November 2023, the  following will apply  specifically to IT specialists:  Specialists and managers in information and communication technology can also obtain the EU Blue Card without a university degree if they can prove at least 3 years of professional experience and special knowledge. This regulation enables capable programmers and other IT specialists without an IT degree to find employment. Knowledge of German is no longer a prerequisite.

Skilled workers with recognised  vocational training: As a result of the reform of the law, skilled workers with vocational training recognised in Germany are no longer bound by the fact that their job corresponds to their training. You can do any qualified job here. The restriction to the profession of one’s own qualification does not apply. (For example, a physicist can also be hired as a programmer).

The possibilities for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications will also be expanded. It remains important to note that in order to be employed in regulated professions, foreign skilled workers still need professional recognition. New from 1 March 2024 for  residence for professional recognition: Anyone taking part in an adaptation qualification or compensatory measure in Germany can enter the country for this purpose and stay for up to a maximum of 3 years in the future. If the competent authority proposes a qualification analysis in the recognition procedure, the prospective skilled worker will be able to enter the country in the future and stay for up to 6 months.  The prerequisite here is that the specialist can prove German language skills at least at level A2.

Qualification still needs to be recognised – recognition  partnership: The recognition procedure has been simplified. In the future, the foreign skilled worker will be able to enter Germany first and  have his or her training occupation recognised locally in Germany as part of the “recognition partnership”. The foreign skilled worker and you as an entrepreneur / employer contractually undertake to initiate the recognition procedure as quickly as possible and to carry it out quickly. The recognition partnership is an agreement under private law (concluded in written or text form) between the employer and the foreign employee,  and there must also be a concrete job offer or an employment contract. As a result, persons from third countries can enter the country and then carry out the entire recognition procedure in Germany. The future skilled worker can then take up employment in Germany from day one, even though their professional qualification has not yet been recognised, insofar as this is permitted by professional law. The prerequisite is that the foreign skilled worker must have state-recognized vocational training of at least 2 years in the respective home country or a state-recognized foreign university degree. The specialist must also be proficient in German language skills at A2 level. The above also applies if qualification measures are still necessary. In addition, the employer must have sufficient up-to-date experience with training and post-qualification.

Pillar of experience: Even without their degree being formally recognised in Germany, foreign skilled workers will be allowed  to work in non-regulated professions in  Germany in the future. This means significant simplifications and thus shorter procedures. However, a salary threshold must be adhered to or there must be a collective bargaining agreement. (This is to prevent qualified specialists from working in the low-wage sector). The prerequisite is at least 2 years of professional experience within the last 5  years as well as a  professional qualification recognized in the country of origin with at least 2 years of training. As an alternative to a state-recognised professional qualification, a degree from a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad is sufficient under certain conditions.

Extended group of people: For example, foreign academics who have obtained a university degree within the last 3 years can receive an EU Blue Card if they achieve a minimum salary of 39,682.80 euros with the job in Germany  . This applies to bottleneck as well as regular occupations. A specifically offered employment contract only has to be at least 6 months and not 12 months.