The ascendancy of the conservatives signifies a shift towards a more stringent immigration policy, albeit with continued openness to non-European skilled professionals. On March 12, negotiations commenced between the conservative CDU and the Social Democrats (SPD) to form a coalition, expected to finalize by late April.
Expatriates have reason to be reassured: the incoming government plans to uphold the existing work visa system. Pre-existing modifications, initiated at the start of 2025, will persist. Notably, the salary requirement for the European Blue Card has been increased to an annual gross of 48,300 euros in 2025, up from 45,300 euros in 2024. Furthermore, non-European workers in professions facing shortages, as well as entry-level and experienced IT professionals without formal qualifications, will continue to benefit from a reduced salary threshold of 43,759.80 euros gross annually.
A significant innovation is the overhaul of bureaucratic processes, which have long been a point of contention for expatriates. The government is dedicated to enhancing immigration services through increased digitalization. A major initiative is the establishment of the "Digital Agency for Skilled Worker Immigration," which will centralize visa applications, diploma validations, and work permit requests. This move towards digitalization extends efforts initiated by the previous administration to simplify processes. As of January 1, 2025, individuals from across the globe have been able to apply for visas online through the consular services portal.
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